Jakama Krystal was a quiet achiever in the steeplechasing role last season, and she’ll step up to the major leagues for the first time at Te Rapa on Saturday, taking on the Signature Homes Waikato Steeplechase (3900m). Often effective in the lead, Jakama Krystal spaced her rivals on debut over the bigger fences last August and put on a similar display when winning the final race of the jumping season in September. After enjoying her summer holiday, the nine-year-old returned to Peter and Jessica Brosnan’s Matamata stable and has appeared…
Author: NZRacingDesk
Logan aces naming of Matamata debut hope
Samantha Logan is hoping for a result to savour when the aptly named Jelly Roll makes his debut at Matamata on Sunday. Off the back of an encouraging trial performance, the three-year-old will step out in the Slattery Contracting Maiden (1200m), with Bridget Grylls to take the reins. He is a son of Swiss Ace and Icing On The Cake and is trained and owned by Logan, who was gifted the gelding. Jelly Roll’s name is drawn from both his parents and also from the moniker of the American rapper,…
Barneswood hoping Desert Lightning can strike in Stradbroke
Kiwi-owned Group One winner Desert Lightning will be out to double his elite-level tally when he returns to Eagle Farm on Saturday to tackle the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). Formerly in the care of Peter and Dawn Williams in New Zealand, the five-year-old gelding won five races for his now retired trainers, including the Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) and $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m). He transferred to the care of Pakenham conditioners Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman last spring where he made an immediate impact, placing in the Listed Chautauqua Stakes…
Novara Park confirms 2025 service fees
In line with the current economic climate, Novara Park owner Luigi Muollo has made adjustments to the service fees for the stud’s four-strong stallion roster. The fee for Staphanos has been reduced from $15,000 to $9,000 plus GST, while Sweynesse has been trimmed from $10,000 to $7,000. King Of Comedy and Press Statement remain at unchanged fees of $7,000 and $6,000 respectively. “We are mindful of the challenges facing trainers, syndicators and breeders,” Muollo said. “The costs of production, wages, everything has increased. All of our stallions this season will…
Nelson-McDougal stars facing off in Waikato features
The powerful jumping stable of Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal will be out in full force at Te Rapa on Saturday, with the return of champion galloper The Cossack headlining their attack in the feature events. Now an 11-year-old, The Cossack has won a phenomenal 15 jumping races, including a pair of Great Northern Hurdles (4200m), a Grand National Hurdle (4200m) and last year’s Wellington Steeplechase (5500m). After his success at Trentham, the son of Mastercraftsman was ruled out of the Grand National Steeplechase (5500m) and the remainder of last…
Local staying mare’s form hard to fault
All the signs point toward another bold showing from Who Knows (NZ) (Redwood) when she takes aim at the Bullocks Whanganui Handicap (2040m) at Wanganui on Saturday. The daughter of Redwood closed late to finish fourth over a mile when second-up on the track three runs back and most recently ran second over 2040m in the River City. In between times, the promising mare was a winner at Trentham under Kate Hercock, who will be reunited with her at the weekend. “She’s working really well, so we’re quite happy with…
Smart first-up winner heading to Wanganui
Kurtis Pertab wasn’t short of options for War Queen (NZ) (Proisir) before he settled on a return trip to the Central Districts for his impressive debut winner. The Matamata trainer nominated the daughter of Proisir for Wanganui and Te Rapa on Saturday, and Matamata on Sunday, and has confirmed the former venue as his next port of call. War Queen will bid to keep her perfect record intact when she steps out in the Hirepool 3YO (1340m) following her comfortable victory at Hawera last month at the first time of…
Former Great Northern hero to make jumping return
Abu Dhabi (NZ) (Haradasun) will make his much-anticipated return to jumping when he contests the Fairview Motors Waikato Hurdle (3200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. The nine-year-old gelding placed in the race two years ago before falling in his debut steeplechase at his next start and was off the racing scene before making his return on the flat last month. The son of Haradasun has a solid record over hurdles, winning two and placing in three of his seven starts, including victory in the 2022 edition of the Great Northern…
Tiara pathway for Firestorm
A difficult draw in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) has prompted Chris Waller to scratch dual acceptor Firestorm (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) in preference for the Gr.2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm, paving the way for first emergency and barn mate Coleman (Pierata) to take his place in the Group One. Waller had initially hoped to run the daughter of Satono Aladdin in the day’s main feature but said drawing barrier 16 made her task hard. “If she had a good draw she would definitely be running (in the…
Vale Herbie Rauhihi
Former jockey Herbie Rauhihi, who was revered by many young hoops in the Central Districts, has passed away, aged 86. One of those impressionable young riders was Noel Harris, who would go on to become one of New Zealand’s most decorated jockeys. Harris looked up to Rauhihi from the outset of his riding career and he said Rauhihi made a big impression on him in his formative years in the saddle. “He was a champion guy,” Harris said. “He rode for my Dad, Eric Ropiha, and all the good trainers…