Author: NZRacingDesk

Colts by proven New Zealand stallions Per Incanto and Satono Aladdin provided the highlights on Day One of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale with the top two lots set to join the Lindsay Park operation of the Hayes family. The father and son combination of David and JD Hayes oversaw proceedings at Karaka as Mainland Chinese owner Mr Sanxiong Gao signed the docket for Lot 105, a Satono Aladdin colt out of Shezdelicious for $675,000 from the draft of Riversley Park. Lot 105, a colt by Satono…

Stakes targets are in the offing for promising gelding Sunset Boulevard (NZ) (Eminent) after he secured a winning double at Riccarton Park during New Zealand Cup Week. The Sir Peter Vela-bred and raced five-year-old won over 2000m on the opening day of the carnival and backed up on Wednesday where he jumped an even money favourite in the Wuhan Jockey Club Premier (2000m). In the hands of in-form local hoop Tina Comignaghi, Sunset Boulevard was pushed forward early and settled in the coveted one-one position. Turning for home he was…

In the shades of his talented dam, Kiwi Magic (NZ) (Shocking) announced himself as a three-year-old to follow this term with an impressive victory in the Halls Cold Chain Logistics Three-Year-Old Premier (1400m) at Riccarton on Wednesday. The Christchurch venue was a happy hunting ground for the gelding’s mother Kiwi Ida, who carried the colours of owner-trainers John and Karen Parsons to success on 14 occasions including a Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m), Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders Stakes (1400m), Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) and Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m). Her mating…

Northern targets await promising juvenile I Am Belle (NZ) (I Am Invincible) following her debut victory in the Elmwood Trading Co. Two-Year-Old Premier (1000m) at Riccarton on Wednesday. The daughter of I Am Invincible jumped away well under Central Districts hoop Bruno Queiroz and raced three-wide throughout. Race favourite Zaharias looked the obvious danger at the top of the straight, but I Am Belle showed her grit to get her nose in front at the 200m and maintained her advantage, running out a half neck victor. I Am Belle placed…

Manawatu dairy farmers Mark and Tania Stratford had a result to savour on the opening day of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale when their homebred colt by Harry Angel out of Ocean Spray fetched $425,000 to the bid of Hong Kong trainer Mark Newnham and Sweetbriar Equine. The attractive bay was sold from the draft of Curraghmore and after breezing in an easy 10.75, drew plenty of interest. The Stratfords purchased Fastnet Rock mare Ocean Spray for just $4,250 and after seeking the advice of Regan Donnison,…

A bright future is being tipped for Sibling Rivalry (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) after she broke through for her maiden win in the Harcourts Monarch (1150m) at Te Aroha on Tuesday. The three-year-old daughter of Satono Aladdin was fair away, but jockey Craig Grylls got busy on her early, driving her forward to sit outside leader Van Damme. Van Damme set a good tempo up front, with Sibling Rivalry keeping him company throughout, and turning for home the pair had opened up a good margin on their rivals and looked fully…

The results of showpiece races throughout the spring have delivered notable pedigree updates to the catalogue for this week’s NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka. The highest-profile pedigree update belongs to Lot 248, who can now be described as a half-brother to a Group One winner during the 2025 Melbourne Spring Carnival. Offered by breeder Barry Donoghue’s BMD Bloodstock, the Ace High colt is a half-brother to Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit), who triumphed in the A$1m Group One Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 11. It…

Trainers Kevin and Stephen Gray are excited for what the summer has instore for Silent Is Gold (Star Turn) following his pleasing trial win over 850m at Foxton on Tuesday. A stakes performer in Singapore, the son of Star Turn came to New Zealand with Stephen Gray when racing ceased in that jurisdiction, and resumed in his adopted homeland in January following a 10-month break. He made an instant impact in New Zealand, placing in three races before winning over 1350m at Wanganui in April. Stephen Gray has been pleased…

Canterbury galloper Matscot (NZ) (Haradasun) will aim to break a streak of visitor success in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) when he takes his second shot at the feature on Wednesday at Riccarton Park. The eight-year-old went close to winning last year’s edition, missing the top spot by a head to Central Districts raider Kopua. A sought-after prize, the $250,000 race has been won by North Island contenders for the past six runnings and Matscot is right in contention to change that trend again this year, currently rated a $12…

Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) produced a career-high performance during last year’s New Zealand Cup carnival, and he’s primed to rise to another level on his home turf on Wednesday. Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman produced him to claim the Listed Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) 12 months ago and this time the son of Ocean Park has the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) in his sights. Mystic Park has got home strongly for minor placings in his last two outings, and five of his seven wins have come on his local…