Author: NZRacingDesk

Nothing went to script in the lead up to the Listed Manawatu ITM ANZAC Mile (1600m), but when the race finally took its place on Sunday evening at Wanganui, the favourite in Khafre (American Pharoah) delivered on expectations. The feature contest was initially set to be run on Friday at Awapuni, which was subsequently abandoned following a slip in the first race. Moved two days later across to the River City, the race was added to the end of a nine-race programme, but in the seventh event, a horse was…

Talented sprinter Silent Is Gold (Star Turn) collected his first victory on New Zealand soil at Wanganui on Sunday with a powerful display in the Fraser Auret Racing Open Handicap (1350m). The son of Star Turn was among a handful of horses that travelled to New Zealand upon Stephen Gray’s return from Singapore, and with him came good credentials, with seven wins and multiple Group Three placings to his record. Since arriving, Silent Is Gold has performed solidly with three runner-up finishes in six starts and ran creditably in each…

The Ciaron Maher stable is keeping their options open with reigning Horse of the Year Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) who is being prepared for a Group One assignment in Brisbane. Pride Of Jenni was noted among early nominations for the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday, a Quality Handicap that carries a 61kg maximum topweight. Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said Pride Of Jenni holding an entry for next Saturday was one option for the mare in the lead up to the Group 1 Doomben Cup…

The crowd roared at Wanganui on Sunday when first-starter Silver Salute (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) powered past her better-backed rivals to win the Egan Racing 2YO (1200m). Silver Salute had trialled twice for two placings prior to her debut assignment, where she was underrated in a market dominated by Presence Of Mind ($2.40) and Pink Gin ($2.80). The latter stepped slowly from the gates, while Silver Salute picked it beautifully and settled midfield in the six-horse affair. Princess Elsa had set the early tempo but was soon joined by…

It’s the season finale of Weigh In and Guy, Emily & Bruce review the racing action from Te Rapa and Riccarton. Brad Taylor from RACE Inc joins the show to discuss the abandonment of Awapuni, and Jayne is in Hong Kong ahead of a massive night. Weigh In, April 27

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New Zealand-bred gelding Tenzing (NZ) (Contributer) took his career to new heights with a first black-type win in Saturday’s A$300,000 Listed Jones & Co IGA Brisbane Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm. The Tony Gollan-trained six-year-old has now won seven of his 29 starts, along with three seconds and nine thirds. He has earned A$443,221 for an Australian Bloodstock syndicate. Tenzing got into Saturday’s Brisbane Mile on the minimum weight of 53kg and jumped from gate one. He was given a perfect ride by Regan Bayliss, who saved ground along the…

In his first raceday appearance since winning at Rosehill in February, consistent galloper Step Aside (NZ) (Redwood) returned to action on a winning note in the A$160,000 Terry Marskell Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday. The Benchmark 78 handicap was the fifth victory of a 21-start career for the New Zealand-bred gelding, who has placed on another eight occasions and has earned A$375,600 for an OTI Racing ownership group. Representing the champion expat New Zealand trainer-jockey combination of Chris Waller and James McDonald, Step Aside was sent out as a…

Val Di Zoldo’s (NZ) (War Decree) victory in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday showed what a difference a year can make. The $150,000 fillies and mares’ feature capped an autumn black-type double for the War Decree mare, who was a last-start winner of the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2050m) at Wanganui on April 5. It could hardly be a more different story to what happened in those same two races 12 months ago. Val Di Zoldo ran fourth in the 2024 edition of the Manawatu…

Riviera Rebel (NZ) (Pure Champion) has been a special horse for rookie trainer Brooke Kincaid, who had her first taste of black-type success in Saturday’s Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton. Kincaid went into partnership with Riverton trainer Graham Eade at the beginning of this season. Riviera Rebel quickly became her first winner with a Rating 75 victory at Riccarton on August 10, and on Saturday the talented gelding was in the spotlight again as he provided her sixth and most significant training success. “It’s amazing,” Kincaid said.…