Author: NZRacingDesk

Patience has been a key factor in the rise of Jaarffi to the elite level and she’s in good order to open her six-year-old campaign at Rotorua. The Cambridge Stud-bred and raced mare has trialled well ahead of her resuming run in Sunday’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) and any improvement in track conditions will further boost her chances. Jaarffi has a handy first-up record of two wins from five attempts, and with a rating of 100 is well-suited by the weight-for-age conditions. “I wanted to run her a couple of…

Proven mare Archaic Smile is looking to make her presence felt in the open ranks before a potential southern trip when she contests Saturday’s Gr.3 fastinternet.co.nz Spring Sprint (1400m) at Otaki. A Group One performing juvenile, Archaic Smile found that form again in her autumn three-year-old campaign, narrowly missing top honours in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) and Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). She resumed with a solid fourth in an Open 1200m behind Midnight Edition at Te Rapa, a performance that gave trainer Hollie Wynyard the option of going…

A three-year-old full sister to the great Verry Elleegant (NZ) is slated to make her debut on Friday night at Southside Cranbourne. The Chris Waller-trained Verry Stella (NZ) (Zed) has been accepted to contest Race 2 – a maiden event over 1300 metres. Very Stella has the same trainer as her now-deceased sister and was also bred by Don Goodwin, who has also since passed away. The filly will carry the same colours – red, royal blue band, armbands, band on cap and pom pom. Very Stella is the seventh-named…

Promising three-year-old Kygo Star (NZ) (Wootton Bassett) overcame a wide journey to come out on top in a tight finish in the Allspark Electrical Maiden 3YO (1400m) at Avondale on Wednesday. The Chad Ormsby-trained gelding was impressive on debut at Taupo, storming home late to finish second behind Oratia Beauty (Too Darn Hot). Finishing third in that contest was Magic Carpet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who came out 10 days later to win the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa. Despite the form coming out of the race, Kygo…

Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto)  will be on a mission to put an interrupted campaign back on track when he takes his place in the $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill. The Group 1 winner has missed scheduled starts in the 7 Stakes (1600m) and Shannon Stakes (1500m), both times due to poor blood readings, although trainer Ciaron Maher says they have been the result of a mild virus rather than anything sinister. “There are a lot of viruses around this year and it was just unfortunate that he got one,” Maher said. “But he seems good now.…

Sam Mynott has her sights set on the New Zealand Cup carnival with Electron (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), but where the gifted mare takes her first steps toward Riccarton is yet to be locked in. The Cambridge trainer’s preference is to kick off in Saturday’s Gr.3 fastinternet.nz Spring Sprint (1400m) at Otaki if there is any improvement in track conditions, currently rated a Heavy 10. Plan B is for multiple Group Three placegetter Electron to resume closer to home a day before in the Placemakers Taupo Handicap (1300m). “Ideally, she…

Kiwi Group One winner Pier (NZ) (Proisir) will not feature in this year’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m), but he will still have the opportunity to run for a A$5 million stake back in Sydney. After a successful campaign in Queensland through the winter, Pier was set on a path towards the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and got off to a flying start when placing in the Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m). He was among the main dangers to hot-favourite Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) in last Saturday’s Epsom, where he…

OTI Racing is officially going trans-Tasman, with the Australian syndicator becoming a licensed New Zealand syndicator this week.  “We are now a licensed syndicator in New Zealand, which means we can offer horses to the public (in New Zealand),” OTI Racing principal Terry Henderson said.   “They will get the same offering as the Australians do, which could be New Zealand or Australian horses, trained by New Zealand or Australian trainers. We will certainly be racing more horses in New Zealand.”  OTI Racing has been a large investor in New Zealand…

Willydoit didn’t run last weekend with a minor issue, will he start this weekend? Part owner Shaun Clotworthy talks to Steve Hewlett on Racing HQ. Shaun Clotworthy 07.10.2025 – Racing HQ with Steve Hewlett – Apple Podcasts

A new southern partnership is set to kick-off at Phar Lap Raceway on Thursday when Lady Maxima (NZ) (Circus Maximus) makes her debut in the Pink Ribbon & Heartland Chips 1200.  She will carry the familiar orange and white colours of Barneswood Farm, which will appear for the first time alongside Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson’s name in the racebook.  Bred by Barneswood Farm’s Sarah and Chris Green and Ger Beemsterboer, Lady Maxima is by Windsor Park Stud stallion Circus Maximus and out of their Lonhro mare Vaudesir, a half-sister to…