Author: NZRacingDesk

Trainer Jamie Richards sent out a double on the opening-day of the Hong Kong season as he looks to build early momentum. The Kiwi expat was all smiles after Groovy Feeling stormed home to narrowly win the second section of the Class 4 Ma On Shan Handicap (1200m) before Bulb General stamped his early claims as a four-year-old series prospect with an outstanding triumph in the Class 3 Lantau Peak Handicap (1200m) under Zac Purton. “He was a bit closer in the run than I thought he was going to…

A trans-Tasman ownership double prompted long and enthusiastic celebrations for Ashburton’s Barneswood Farm. Husband-and-wife Chris and Sarah Green and business partner Ger Beemsterboer’s colours were carried to victory at The Valley by Desert Lightning and at Ellerslie by progressive mare Arabian Songbird. “It was brilliant and we were so excited, I was at Moonee Valley and cheering him on,” Sarah Green said. Trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, Desert Lightning capped off a grand run of form when he won the So You Think Stakes (1500m) after finishing fourth…

Group One glory eluded Wexford Stables at Ellerslie, but trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott were nevertheless buoyed by the performances of their representatives. Tomodachi fared best of the stablemates when third in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) while Checkmate and Waitak were less than four lengths off the winner and Grail Seeker had no luck in the running. The Sir Peter Vela-bred and raced Tomodachi produced a top effort in her elite level debut and first outing since she claimed the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) in the autumn. “We…

Zac Purton has declared Ka Ying Rising’s (NZ) (Shamexpress) outstanding win in the HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday the equal-best of the champion sprinter’s stunning career. Extending his unbeaten streak to 13 wins, Ka Ying Rising brushed aside quality opposition under 135lb to triumph in 1m 07.63s – marginally outside his own track record of 1m 07.20s – despite being eased down by Purton as the gelding swept to his 14th win in 16 starts for David Hayes. The world’s…

Six years in the making, El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) now stands as New Zealand’schampion. The Cambridge-trained galloper was crowned Sport Nation Horse of the Year for 202425 at New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s black-tie Awards dinner in Hamilton onSunday night, proof that some champions simply need time to flourish. At six, El Vencedor reached spectacular new heights, becoming the only New Zealandtrained horse to win three Group 1 races this season. His dominance saw him secure 45of the 55 votes cast for the sport’s ultimate honour. He also claimed the Champion…

The Lindsay Park stable of Ben, Will and J D Hayes are in a quandary as to the best way to get Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) to his Group One target of the spring. The Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 18 has been earmarked for the nine-time winner at Group 1 level. Ben Hayes said he and his brothers had discussed options for the eight-year-old who returned with a pleasing second in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on August 30. The Gr.1 Makybe…

Timaru trainer Stephanie Faulkner admitted to doubting Richard Stomper’s (NZ) (El Roca) prospects before and during the LOVERACING.NZ Remembering Grey Way (1600m) on Sunday, but the talented six-year-old kicked off his new campaign with a tenacious front-running victory on his home track. It was the first raceday appearance since the beginning of March for the El Roca gelding, who was a last-start fifth behind Our Echo, Perfect Scenario, Matscot and He’s A Doozy in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) at Wingatui. Richard Stomper was a well-supported $4.40 chance…

The 370km journey from Matamata to Woodville has proven to be a worthwhile commute for Jakama Krystal (NZ) (Jakkalberry), who collected her third jumps success at the course in Sunday’s $50,000 Jude Challies Property Brokers Woodville Tararua Steeplechase (4800m). The Jakkalberry mare is now the winner of eight races overall from a 70-start career, including two wins over hurdles and four steeplechase successes. She has contested eight jumps races at Woodville for three wins – a maiden hurdle over 3000m in June of 2023, a nine-length romp in a 4000m…

Join Guy Heveldt, Emily Bosson and Jayne Ivil as they celebrate the first G1 of the season, dissect the stories for spring, here and in Australia. Weigh In, 7 September

Ultra-consistent mare La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) earned a unique place in New Zealand racing history at Ellerslie on Saturday with her seventh runner-up finish in a Group One race. The Vadamos mare produced another top-drawer performance in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m). Almost half of the 16-horse field lined up across the track and went to war down the Ellerslie straight, and La Crique dug deep and held them all out before being bombed by Quintessa’s last-to-first surge down the outside. La Crique now holds the record for second placings…