Author: NZRacingDesk

A professional display from speedy Otaki visitor De Armas (NZ) (Ardrossan) paved the way for a decisive victory in the first stakes race on Saturday’s Pukekohe programme, the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m). Trainer Johno Benner trekked north with the daughter of Ardrossan, who went into the race off the back of an 850m trial victory at Foxton earlier in the month, following a winning debut on her home track in September. Benner had been content to give his charge plenty of time to get over that win on a testing Heavy10…

Not even a wide draw can dent Bruce Wallbank’s enthusiasm at the prospects of his talented sprinter Midnight Edition (NZ) (Wrote) in the Gr. 3 Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. Midnight Edition came up with barrier 11 in the 16-horse field for his home-track feature, but that includes two balloted runners drawn inside him. “He’ll end up jumping from eight or nine with scratchings and if anything, the way he races the draw might benefit him,” Wallbank said. TAB odds-setters adopted the same philosophy when they…

Training partners Mitchell Beer and George Carpenter are hoping to deliver the Kembla Grange locals a feature race win when they saddle up speedy mare Sunrise (NZ) (Charm Spirit) in the Gr.3 The Warra (1000m). With no Kembla-trained horse contesting the A$1 million Gr.3 Gong (1600m) this year and fellow local Cani Cancan (Russian Revolution) a $151 outsider for The Warra, $5 second favourite Sunrise appears the best chance for the Illawarra community to land one of the main races. Formerly based at Albury, Beer relocated to the provincial track two years ago and in September this year, Carpenter became…

The dates for NZB’s National Online Yearling Sale have been confirmed for 2026, with the Sale set to be held on leading online auction platform Gavelhouse Plus.  The catalogue will be available to view online from Tuesday 31 March, with bidding set to open on Friday 10 April and closing from 6pm (NZT) on Tuesday 14 April.  A significant benefit of the digital catalogue is that all lots offered in the National Online Yearling Sale are eligible to be nominated for the lucrative Karaka Millions Series.  Just nine short months after they make…

Marotiri Molly’s rise to black-type prominence has been testament to not only her talent, but also the patience of Foxton trainer Matt Dixon. She required careful handling through the early stages of her career before rising through the grades and on Saturday will attempt to add the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) to her record. “She’s good to go and she’s not an overly big mare and it’s been pretty tough on her carrying big weights, so I’m looking forward to getting her back to a set…

Fresh off a victory over New Zealand Cup Week, Wingatui trainer Joseph Waldron is hoping to quickly add to that tally when he heads south to Ascot Park on Sunday with a couple of handy chances. Former northerner Sabrina Hall impressed when runner-up in her southern debut at her new home track earlier this month, and Waldron is confident she can go one better in the McGregor Concrete & Farmers Dipping (1400m) this weekend. Bred and raced by Windsor Park Stud, Sabrina Hall was initially in the care of Matamata…

David Hayes has sounded an ominous warning over Ka Ying Rising’s (NZ) (Shamexpress) form as the world’s best sprinter bids to extend his winning streak to 15-consecutive races in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Hayes believes Ka Ying Rising has improved since returning from a historic victory in the AU$20m G1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick in Sydney on October 18, as the five-time G1 victor prepares to share Sunday’s stage with fellow champions Romantic Warrior and Voyage…

David Hayes has sounded an ominous warning over Ka Ying Rising’s form as the world’s best sprinter bids to extend his winning streak to 15 consecutive races in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (23 November). Hayes believes Ka Ying Rising has improved since returning from a historic victory in the AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million) G1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick in Sydney, Australia on 18 October, as the five-time Group 1 victor prepares to share Sunday’s stage with…

This weekend could prove to be an exciting one for Matamata trainer Daniel Miller. The 28-year-old horseman will be lining up Tardis (NZ) (Time Test) in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe on Saturday for his parents, John and Maree, but he may not be trackside, with he and his partner Paige Weatherley expecting their first child. “My partner is due to have our first child any day now, so whether I actually make it to the races or not is yet to be decided,” he said. Miller…

Apprentice jockey Bailey Rogerson remains in the intensive care unit at Waikato Hospital but her condition has taken a significant turn for the better, having regained consciousness and is now breathing without assistance. The 24-year-old’s grandfather Graeme Rogerson reported early Thursday afternoon that an MRI scan on Wednesday was followed by a major overall improvement in her health. While still feeling the effects of her Rotorua race fall on Sunday, Rogerson has begun the long road to recovery. “She’s certainly turned the corner and although she has a long way…