Te Akau Racing made a blistering start to the afternoon across both New Zealand meetings on Saturday, racking up six wins in a three-hour period including with a pair of potential candidates for next month’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). The syndication powerhouse won the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) for the seventh time as improving filly Origin Of Love (Snitzel) followed in the footsteps of the stable’s previous winners Noverre (2021), Hall Of Fame (2016), Risque (NZ) (Darci Brahma) (2015), Burgundy (2011), King’s Ransom (2009) and Tell A…
Author: NZRacingDesk
Sir Albert caps Rae’s big day in Spring Classic
Classy gelding Sir Albert (NZ) (Savabeel) starred in the Listed Sothys Spring Classic (2000m) at Riccarton on Saturday in another winning double for Terri Rae, but the local trainer was only a nose and a neck away from an even more remarkable day. Rae recorded back-to-back wins at Ashburton two weeks ago when Spot On Time (NZ) (Time Test) took out the GD Jones Salute (1200m) and Sir Albert followed suit in the McCrea Painters & Decorators Ashburton Cup (1600m). The same two horses provided a repeat performance at Riccarton…
Deserved Crystal Mile for Von Hauke
The Cliff Brown-trained Von Hauke (NZ) (Savabeel) swamped his rivals late under a patient rider from Ethan Brown to land the Gr.2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at The Valley on Saturday. The six-year-old son of Savabeel had been luckless when fourth in last year’s Crystal Mile and was back in the winner’s circle for the first time in 18 months despite racing well. Von Hauke got back in the run and closed well to get the better of fellow New Zealand-bred gallopers Golden Path (NZ) (Belardo) and Rise At Dawn (NZ)…
First stakes win for She’s A Hustler
Talented five-year-old mare She’s A Hustler scored a game victory in the Gr.3 Tesio Stakes (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday. Under a positive ride from Jordan Childs, She’s A Hustler sat just behind the leader Sea What I See, and packed too many punches for that rival in a muddling run race. The daughter of Ace High has been a model of consistency for trainer Grahame Begg since crossing the Tasman. She placed on debut at Matamata for Roger James and Robert Wellwood. From nine career starts, She’s A…
I’m A Dirty Rascal on target for New Zealand Cup
The winning roll of the Te Akau Racing team continued unabated when former European galloper I’m A Dirty Rascal (Galileo) produced an eye-catching Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) trial when taking out the NZB Airfreight Road To Jericho (3000m) at Riccarton. Te Akau Racing trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson had large teams racing at both New Zealand venues with I’m A Dirty Rascal’s win their fifth combined victory on the day. Having just his sixth run in New Zealand since joining the stable last year following eight…
Classy Cambridge gallopers star at Ellerslie
Chad Ormsby and Ben and Ryan Foote have plenty on their plate in the build-up to next month’s NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, but the multi-talented Cambridge horsemen also made their mark on the racetrack on Saturday with victories in $65,000 open handicaps at Ellerslie. Ormsby will offer 20 two-year-olds under his Riverrock Farm banner during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on November 12 and 13, and they breezed up over a busy couple of days at Te Rapa last Monday and Tuesday. Ormsby quickly switched…
Impressive juvenile winners at Riccarton and Ellerslie
The value of raceday experience and a touch of class saw two-year-old Out Of The Blue retain his unbeaten record when taking out the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (800m) contest for the juveniles at Riccarton. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared son of Tivaci had looked good when winning on debut over the same distance at the venue last month and punters were keen on his chances again as they sent him out a red-hot $1.45 favourite in the hands of Opie Bosson. Bosson had the gelding away nicely and…
The return of the Cups King
Cups king Mahrajaan made his first public appearance in more than 12 months when he finished third behind Group One winner Provence in his 1100m heat at the Ellerslie trials on Thursday. He was victorious in the 2023 edition of the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) before winning the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie four months later, placing the imported son of Kitten’s Joy at the top of New Zealand’s staying ranks. Trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray decided to test his talent in Australia, where he finished last…
Cambridge partnership hunting Jericho Cup berth
Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray teamed up with The Oaks Stud two years ago to win the Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool with Nassak Diamond, and they are hoping to do the same this year with Tempest Moon. The Cambridge trainers have trekked south to Christchurch with the five-year-old daughter of Turn Me Loose where they will try and gain a berth in next month’s marathon feature when they contest the NZB Airfreight Road To The Jericho (3000m) at Riccarton on Saturday. The winner gains an automatic entry into the…
Bowman in line for another Cox Plate
Now Hong Kong based jockey Hugh Bowman said he felt proud to get the call up from Chris Waller to ride Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) in the final Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley before the track undergoes a redevelopment. Bowman and Waller combined with Winx (Street Cry) to win the Cox Plate on four occasions, and the jockey accepted the ride on Aeliana after Waller sent out a call last week. Aeliana is one of three runners Waller has in Saturday’s Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley joining last year’s winner Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) and Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock). “Moonee Valley brings many great…