Author: NZRacingDesk

Consistent mare Bedtime Story (NZ) (Per Incanto) could be in line for a tilt at elite-level if she performs up to expectations in the Manawatu ITM 1340 at Wanganui on Saturday. The five-year-old daughter of Per Incanto has hardly put a foot wrong so far in her 17-start career, and while she has placed in the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m) and Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m), a black-type victory remains elusive. She resumed this preparation in her customary fashion, running fourth in both of her starts this time in, including first-up…

Expectations for Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) will be kept in check when the outstanding mare resumes at Pukekohe on Saturday. The two-time top-flight winner will resume in the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) with underfoot conditions a major question mark. Opposing her will be talented stablemate Arabian Songbird (NZ) (Pierro), who has come through the grades in grand style. “Orchestral will probably run and definitely wants a better track, but we really need to get going and get her prep on the road,” said Robert Wellwood, who trains…

Tavi Time (NZ) (Tavistock) will be chasing his third feature race win in 12 months when he lines up in the Gong. Kris Lees will decide in the next 24 hours how many runners he will saddle up in the $1 million the Gong, but Tavi Time will be a definite starter despite a wide draw. The consistent performer has barrier 16 and stablemate Loch Eagle (Lonhro) 18, the latter having also been nominated for the Mooloolaba Cup (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast this weekend. Lees will assess both races…

Surprise weight-for-age packet Aftermath (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) will be more in his comfort zone at Pukekohe Park this weekend. The Shaun and Emma Clotworthy-trained six-year-old will step out in Saturday’s Gr.3 Myracehorse Counties Cup (2100m) after coping admirably with a major rise in class in his two lead-up performances. The son of Rock ‘N’ Pop finished in behind the major players at Ellerslie in both the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m). “At weight-for-age, he surprised me with those couple of fourths and back in…

Having become the most improved galloper in the north this season, the Tony Pike-trained Agera (NZ) (Complacent) may be given his chance at racing’s elite level in the TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m). The Trentham weight-for-age feature on December 6 has been penciled in by connections and any continuation of the wet weather may well confirm the mission. After winning just two of his 18 starts up to the end of last season, Agera has been a revelation over the past four months, beginning with a Cambridge Polytrack double in August.…

Group Three winner Spencer (NZ) (Derryn) will have a new trainer next to his name in the racebook when he heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Manawatu ITM 1340. Previously trained by Erin Hocquard in Waverley, Spencer has recently joined the Matamata barn of Peter and Shaun McKay, for whom he will have his first start this weekend. The six-year-old son of Derryn was a standout for Hocquard, having won eight and placed in five of his 26 starts for the South Taranaki horsewoman, including victory in last…

Malaysian buyers made a resounding statement at the recent New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, securing an impressive 44 lots with a combined spend of $1.93 million. Held at Karaka, the sale featured a vibrant catalogue of two-year-olds, and Malaysia’s presence was felt across a wide spectrum of vendors and sires. Out of 353 catalogued lots, 265 were sold—of which Malaysian buyers accounted for 12%, a significant footprint in one of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier juvenile auctions. Leading the Malaysian charge was Mr Charles Leck, who acquired seven lots…

Sir Peter Vela joined Gareth Hall for an extended chat live from Pencarrow Stud to speak on his life and background which led him into the racing & breeding game. The Amazing Life & Story Of Si… – Giddy Up – Apple Podcasts

It will be a full circle moment for Group One performer Wild Night (NZ) (Vanbrugh) when he returns to Windsor Park Stud following his retirement from racing this week. Bred by the Cambridge farm, the six-year-old gelding is by their Group One-producing sire Vanbrugh and out of Supreme, who is also the dam of Group Two winner Play That Song. Wild Night was offered through Windsor Park Stud’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where he was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $50,000.…

Meaningful Star (Pivotal) shone brightly last Saturday when runner-up in the Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1530m) and he could now get the opportunity to defend his crown in the Gr.3 Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday week. The seasoned campaigner rocketed home late and came within a short head of usurping Agera in the Tauranga Stakes, pleasing part-owner and co-trainer Grant Cooksley. “It was a good run. A couple of more strides and he would have been in front,” said Cooksley, who trains in partnership with Bruce Wallace.…