Author: NZRacingDesk

Sterling Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs. Gloria Macrae and Brian McKeagg’s homebred son of Shamexpress had already racked up seven wins from a promising 18-race career, with three smart victories as a three-year-old followed by another four last season. His last start had produced his biggest win yet, storming home from the back of the field to take out the $60,000 Winter Championship…

A well-judged front-running ride by Daniel Stackhouse has aided five-year-old gelding Navy King (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) to claim the lion’s share of the prize in the MSC Signs Handicap (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday. The Symon Wilde-trained son of US Navy Flag was able to take the role of pacemaker from a wide draw without too much pressure and despite laying out slightly in the home straight, had half a length to spare over runner-up Bur Dubai (Night of Thunder). Having shown good potential as a three-year-old,…

Handy stayer Wuddzz (NZ) (Complacent) came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick. The eight-year-old son of Complacent relished the heavy conditions as he came from well beyond midfield to defeat Cormac T (Nathaniel) and Bluestone (NZ) (Reliable Man). The victory continued a stellar 24 hours for Ballarat trainer Henry Dwyer, who saddled Asfoora (Flying Artie) to win the Gr.1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1000m) at York on Friday. “He conserved all of his energy in the first half of the…

Smart staying mare Jennivamoose (NZ) (Vadamos) recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue. Prepared by Ciaron Maher for Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Racing, Jennivamoose was dropped out to near the rear of the field by Harry Coffey and looped the field to narrowly get the better of Muktamil. The daughter of Vadamos has now won five races from 14 starts and will now step up to stakes company. “She’s on skates…

Unbeaten mare Elle Sourit (NZ) (Ocean Park) kept her winning record intact with an eye-catching performance to take out the Super Seth 1500 (1500m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Andrew Forsman-prepared four-year-old opened her raceday account with a smart effort to win a maiden 1400m event at Hawera back in March before overcoming a tardy beginning to race clear over a similar distance in rating 65 company at Pukekohe a month later. Forsman gave the daughter of Ocean Park a breather before contesting an 1100m trial at Taupo earlier…

Consistent galloper Drop of Something (NZ) (Telperion) made full use of a perfectly judged front-running ride from apprentice Sam McNab to triumph in a thrilling four-way finish to the Savabeel 2100 (2100m) at Te Rapa. The nuggety chestnut gelding was having his first run since being narrowly denied victory in the Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at the venue late last month and looked a good chance with McNab’s 4kg apprentice claim reducing his carded weight down to a competitive 56kgs. With no clear pacemaker in the event, McNab took to…

Dorothy’s Daughter and Verry Flash (NZ) (Zed) delivered a winning double for Wanganui stables in the two jumping races at Hawera on Saturday. The first cab off the rank was the Niall Quinn-trained Dorothy’s Daughter (NZ) (Roc de Cambes), who brought up her first win over jumps in the Julian Family Maiden Hurdle (3100m). The daughter of Roc De Cambes had shown ability on the flat, recording a win and three placings from 27 starts, and she had placed in two of her three attempts over hurdles. She broke through…

The maiden three-year-old race on Foxbridge Plate Day at Te Rapa is developing a reputation for unveiling bright talent, and a superb debut by Quantum Legend (Castelvecchio) on Saturday suggested he could be heading for the top of that list. The Banquo 3YO (1200m) has been part of the Foxbridge programme since 2022. The first running was won by Shez Shamus (NZ) (Shamus Award), with subsequent Group performers Wild Night (NZ) (Vanbrugh), Arby (NZ) (Proisir) and Academy Award (NZ) (Star Turn) among the beaten runners. The 2023 race was taken…

Hong Kong Horse of the Year (2024/25) Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) breezed effortlessly through his first official barrier trial on Friday morning on Sha Tin’s dirt course ahead of a return to racing on Sunday, 7 September followed by his historic bid to scale the world’s richest turf race in Australia.   Aiming to win a second straight HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at the 2025/26 season’s curtain-raiser next month, Ka Ying Rising couldn’t have been more impressive as he sauntered across the finishing…

With Blake Shinn on sidelines through suspension, Lindsay Park has gone to noted big race jockey Mark Zahra to ride Oak Hill (NZ) (Per Incanto) in a Stakes race at Moonee Valley.  While the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) on Saturday may not have the prestige of a Melbourne Cup or a Caulfield Cup, it is still a nice little race to put on the CV.  Zahra has not taken the race since it earned Black Type status for the 2011 edition, while Lindsay Park’s sole win came in 2018 with Faatinah.  Only Ben Hayes was a part of the Lindsay Park training…