Melbourne Cup hopeful Basilinna (NZ) (Staphanos) has been ruled out for the spring. Racing Victoria announced the news on Wednesday afternoon, confirming the Emma-Lee and David Browne-trained galloper is set to have surgery to remove bone chips from her near fore fetlock. Basilinna had qualified for the Melbourne Cup for the Pakenham-based stable by winning the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington in May. The daughter of Staphanos had returned late last month and finished behind Revelare over 2000m at Caulfield. She had been allocated 51kg for the Melbourne Cup.
Author: NZRacingDesk
Fork in road for Lightning
Peter Moody will let Desert Lightning’s (NZ) (Pride of Dubai) performance in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield dictate what direction he will head with the last-start winner of the So You Think Stakes. Moody said he was testing the waters to see whether Desert Lightning could run out a strong 1800m at G1 level, which is why it was such an important run, in terms of his spring plans. Desert Lightning is nominated for the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate, but the co-trainer won’t buy into any discussions as…
Three-year-old fillies impress at Taupo
A couple of three-year-old fillies put their hand up when breaking through for their maiden wins at Taupo on Wednesday, with feature targets firmly in the crosshairs for the pair. Jomara Bloodstock’s Oratia Beauty (Too Darn Hot) struck first when she proved too slick for her rivals when taking out the Fox & Hounds Taupo (1300m). The daughter of Too Darn Hot was slow to jump and jockey Matt Cameron urged her up along the rail to sit three deep behind Magic Carpet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) and Kygo Star (Wootton…
Rising jumping star primed for another prestige test
Hill Of Kings’ (NZ) (Time Test) best jumping days are still ahead of him, but that’s not to say he can’t add another premier victory to his record in double quick time. The six-year-old stepped out in top company for the first time last month and gave a polished display to put away his rivals in the Pakuranga Hunt Hurdle (3100m). On Friday, the son of Time Test will return to Te Aroha to tackle the J Swap Great New Zealand Hurdle (4200m) and will again carry the minimum weight…
Spencer impressive in Trentham warm-up
An impressive hit-out at the Foxton trials has given the connections of Spencer (NZ) (Derryn) a vote of confidence ahead of Saturday’s CR Grace LTD And Waterforce 1200 at Trentham. The Group Three-winning son of Derryn won under similar conditions at the course back in May before striking a series of wide trips including last start in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m). His trainer Erin Hocquard was pleased with how her charge pulled up from the tough run, opting to head back to the trials to take the edge off…
Hastings trainers field strong trio for Great New Zealand Hurdle
Few trainers could match Paul Nelson’s record in the Great Northern Hurdle, a reputation he hopes to transfer into the renamed J Swap Great New Zealand Hurdle (4200m), with three contenders in the Te Aroha feature on Friday. The Hastings conditioner won his first Northern back in 2002 with Chibuli and followed the early success with back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007 with Just Not Cricket. Corrina McDougal joined Nelson in partnership in 2019, and the pair doubled that tally over the next four years, with The Cossack (2020 and…
Connors’ success in finding the perfect balance
Since his early twenties Raymond Connors has balanced farm life with training a team of racehorses, and his record in major races indicates the latter is far from a second pursuit. Growing up on a dairy farm in Whangaehu, Connors’ family had interest in racing, but as a young teenager he never could have envisioned himself as a jockey. By chance, Connors made a farm-related visit to a nearby property, owned by Kevin Myers and Angela Illston, and not long after he was working for the Turakina couple full-time. “I’d…
NZTR Confirms Major Changes to Key Group One Races
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has confirmed two of the nation’s premier Group 1 races will move venues and dates this season in a step to protect their international status and strengthen the industry’s racing calendar. The $1,000,000 Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) will be run at Ellerslie Racecourse on 21 February 2026, two weeks before the $1,250,000 Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Champions Day meeting, while the $600,000 Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) will return to its traditional…
Well-bred gelding set to shine on debut
Well-bred three-year-old gelding Kygo Star (Wootton Bassett) is set to shine when he makes his debut in the Fox & Hounds Taupo (1300m) at Taupo on Wednesday. The promising youngster has breeding on his side, being out of in vogue Coolmore stallion Wootton Bassett and out of Group One performer Star Karen, and he has made a good impression on his trainer Chad Ormsby. The Cambridge horseman is looking forward to seeing him step out for the first time on raceday, having pulled him out of his intended debut at…
Gossip hunting mega riches at Taupo
Promising mare Gossip (NZ) (Proisir) will be seeking to earn her connections a rich bonus when she heads to Taupo on Wednesday to contest the DPA Chartered Accountants NZB Mega Maiden Series (1200m). The Mega Maiden Series allows Karaka Millions eligible horses to race for an additional $1 million in bonuses comprised of 40 non-Saturday maiden races. The series kicks off at Taupo’s midweek meeting, and as a New Zealand Bloodstock graduate and maiden over the age of three, Gossip could earn her owner Gary Harding $20,000 and trainer Danica…