The Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) would not be the same without the presence of Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars). The Lindsay Park-trained galloper lines up in Saturday’s Group One contest over 1400m for the third time, having won in 2023 and finishing second last year. Longevity has been the key with Mr Brightside who will be aiming to notch his 20th career win from 45 starts and go beyond A$17.5 million in prize money. Mr Brightside has been the banner horse for trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes and all are in agreeance the ‘old boy’…
Author: NZRacingDesk
Damask Rose ready to bloom first-up
Te Akau Racing are building a strong record in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m), and they will look to continue that at Caulfield on Saturday when Damask Rose takes her place in this year’s edition. The daughter of Savabeel had a standout season in New Zealand last term, winning three of her five starts, including the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), both under Blake Shinn. The leading Australian hoop will rekindle his association with the mare on Saturday, and the pair will…
Hastings barn hold strong hand at Pakuranga Hunt meeting
Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougall have a great association with the Pakuranga Hunt meeting, and they are hoping that will continue on Sunday at Te Aroha. The Hawke’s Bay trainers were rapt to take out the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) with 12-year-old gelding Suliman earlier this month, and they are hoping he can make it back-to-back prestige jumps titles in the Pakuranga Hunt “Vale Lamu” Hurdle (3100m). “The wet and loose track just played into his hands down south. He has come through the race well, he is very bright,”…
Walsh hoping for ace day at Riccarton
Riccarton trainer David Walsh couldn’t believe his luck when he saw the fields for his home meeting on Saturday, with his trio of runners all drawing the ace marble in their respective events. “We normally get bad draws all the time, we continually draw outside, so it is amazing that all three runners have drawn barrier one,” Walsh said. “I just hope it is a good place to be.” Six-year-old gelding Toa Haka was in stellar form for Walsh last season, stringing together a series of placings and victories, and…
Moir for Niance
Six-year-old mare Niance (NZ) (Swiss Ace) will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week. The Grahame Begg-trained daughter of Swiss Ace has had two jump outs to prepare for the early spring target, winning an 800m hitout at Cranbourne on Monday. The Kiwi import has only raced once over the short course of 1000m, when winning a Pakenham 0-64 at her first start for Begg. Initially trained by Shaun and Emma Clotworthy in New Zealand, Niance…
Fannins hoping to continue golden run
It’s been a winter to remember for Shaun and Hazel Fannin, and they are hoping their golden run continues at Te Aroha on Sunday. Stable representative Jesko (NZ) (Atlante) has been the rising star among the country’s steeplechasers, winning the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m), Wellington Steeplechase (4900m), Koral Steeplechase (4250m) and was runner-up in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m). The eight-year-old gelding, who carries the gold silks of micro-share syndicator The Frac Club, will be among the leading chances in next month’s Ben And Ryan Foote Great NZ Steeplechase (6200m) at…
War Princess seeking crowning glory
Awapuni filly War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) will head up State Highway Three on Saturday to Wanganui in search of all-important black-type in the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m). The daughter of U S Navy Flag won two of her three starts as a juvenile, and was unplaced in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in March, and trainer Peter Didham is pleased with the way she has returned as a three-year-old. She won a 1000m trial at Awapuni earlier this month, which piqued the interest…
Stakes win top of wish list for smart mare
Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) will resume at Wanganui on Saturday to open a preparation with a sole aim. The quality daughter of Almanzor will kick off in the Cloudsoft Accounting Systems Open Handicap (1200m) following consecutive trials at Taupo last month. Trainer Andrew Forsman is confident of a bold showing from the five-year-old, as long as she strikes going to suit. “As long as it is a looser track and they’re getting through it and running on, as she will get back a bit and 1200m is short of her…
McKays dreaming of Melbourne Cup with Wolfgang
Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) tilt with their quality stayer Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini), and he will start his journey towards the iconic feature at Wanganui on Saturday. The son of Peter McKay’s former Group One winner Puccini, Wolfgang tested his talent in Australia last spring when sixth in the Gr.2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) and fourth in the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m). He came of age with the trip and entered career-best form on his return to New Zealand, finishing runner-up in the…
Staphanos mare continues to progress
Talented staying mare Dreams Come True (NZ) (Staphanos) made it back-to-back victories at Sandown when coming from last in a small field to claim the Tile Importer Handicap (2400m) on Wednesday. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained five-year-old was given a no-panic ride by Jamie Melham as she waited for the runs to come to stave off runner-up Jabbawockeez (NZ) (Redwood). The daughter of Staphanos had to survive a protest to claim her fourth victory from ten starts. “I thought it was a very good effort,” Kent Jnr said.…