Author: NZRacingDesk

Class mare Marotiri Molly showed she will be a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the summer as she overcame some home straight traffic issues to take out the Valley Plumbing Redcraze Bowl (1400m) at Tauherenikau on Saturday. The Matt Dixon-prepared seven-year-old had taken out the corresponding event when run at Trentham last year, completing a winning treble before finishing runner-up in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and then capturing the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) during a purple patch of form. Given a decent…

The big step up from Rating 65 to open company proved to be no obstacle on Friday for Queen Of Kings, who snatched a thrilling photo-finish victory in the Ashburton Raceway Your Gateway to Entertainment 1600. The five-year-old mare went into Friday’s race with only one previous win to her name in her 34-start career, but she had run strong-finishing placings in three of her four previous starts to give trainers Leonard and Lacy Stewart the confidence to raise the bar at Ashburton. Ridden by Gosen Jogoo, Queen Of Kings…

Riverton trainer Kelvin Tyler holds a strong hand heading into his home meeting on Sunday, where he is hoping to secure several winners’ cheques. “I have got some nice chances and some of the fields aren’t that big and strong, so hopefully we can have a good day,” he said. In-form gelding Vamos is a dual acceptor for the Phil Bevin Spraying Handicap (1600m) and Sparrow Logging Handicap (2147m), and Tyler will leave it closer to the day before deciding which race he targets. The six-year-old son of Vadamos won…

Cambridge trainer Sam Mynott is hoping to take her stable’s winning momentum into the weekend. On Wednesday at Pukekohe, Cirque Du Rose broke through for her maiden win in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1600m) in the hands of jockey Joe Doyle. “Joe gave her a beautiful ride and it was nice to see her get that win over a mile,” Mynott said. “We always knew she would want that sort of trip, but I was just a touch worried about how long between runs with that heavier track. She…

Yulong has purchased a 50 percent share in outstanding prospect Well Written with welcome news that she will remain in the care of Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh for the rest of her racing career. The racing and breeding powerhouse made their move following the Written Tycoon filly’s explosive display to distance her rivals in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) off the back of her runaway maiden success. “All the original owners have stayed in, it’s been an easy transition and if she is as good as what we think, she…

Trainer Bjorn Baker is pleased with A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) contender Perfumist (NZ) (El Roca) heading into Saturday’s contest at Randwick. The OTI-raced daughter of El Roca has built towards peak form, winning a Benchmark 94 two starts back before finishing a game runner-up in the Gr.3 Angst Stakes (1600m) behind Idle Flyer. A go-forward runner, Perfumist has drawn the inside barrier and will be ridden by Rachel King and is a $16 chance in a market headed by the unbeaten Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) ($2.05). “When she…

Trainer Mark Walker will have a two-pronged attack on the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, headed by last start Listed 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) winner Azazel (NZ) (Shocking), with lightly-tried McWoody (Alabama Express) also making the field. A son of Shocking, Azazel is expected to be suited by the stiff staying test and he has come through his exertions last week at Geelong in good order.  Azazel. Photo: (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) “He’s pulled up really well. He’s a very fit horse, and everything’s gone really well with…

The Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and J D Hayes is certainly not complaining about the transfer of the Golden Eagle to Randwick on Saturday. The $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) has been staged at Rosehill since its inaugural running in 2019 but has been transferred to Randwick for this year’s edition. The Hayes brothers saddle Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto), who will be out to avenge his narrow defeat in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 18. Like Chris Waller, Ben Hayes said a tough…

Waipukurau stayer Tukituki (NZ) (Complacent) holds a particularly special place in the heart of trainer Carl Taylor, who is hoping his run of success can continue at Tauherenikau on Saturday. A builder by trade, Taylor has had off-and-on involvement in the racing industry for many years, having trained his first winner back in 2006 before taking time away from training for over a decade. “I’m a builder, that’s my main job, so I just work my horse and go to work,” he said. “I went to pony club, did some…

Passiflora (NZ) (Farnan) will provide her connections with a sound guide at Tauranga as to where she sits in the three-year-old pecking order. Trainers Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie will see how their daughter of Farnan handles a rise in class in the Armory Standing At Mapperley Stud 3YO (1200m) before plotting their next move. “It will give us a good line on where we go with her, she’s not overly big and it will be a good test for her,” Ramsay said. “We’ll see how she goes on Saturday…