Author: NZRacingDesk

Joshua Brown’s (NZ) (Dalghar) victory in last month’s Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) was more than 30 years in the making for the Gussey family, and on Saturday he will be seeking to add to his burgeoning record in the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa. The Dalghar six-year-old was bred by Ronald Gussey, who trained for more than three decades, and while he recorded eight victories on the track, a stakes win remained elusive. It would be as a breeder that he would realise that dream, but…

Maiden winner Ferocious Frankie (NZ) (Darci Brahma) steps out for the first time as a three-year-old for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young when the well-related filly contests the Drummond Golf Plate (1200m) at The Valley on Saturday. A winner at Cranbourne on debut in May, Ferocious Frankie is a $6.50 chance in a small field of six. “She’s a full sister to Sierra Sue who won a couple of Group Ones for us. She is very similar to her sister.,” Busuttin said. “She has got ability, no question, but…

Trainer Chris Waller will have a strong hand in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday with five runners headed by stable star Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock). But four-year-old stablemate Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) is the horse Waller believes could be her heir apparent. The established star and rising young talent clash for the first time in the Randwick feature, with Via Sistina a $2.30 favourite for back-to-back titles and New Zealand bred Aeliana ($7.50) facing her maiden test in open company. “She is the unknown,” Waller said of…

Twain (NZ) (Per Incanto) will be out to replicate the deeds of his dam when he heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa. His dam, Fleur de Lune, was runner-up in the race in 2011 for trainer Lee Somervell before going one better a year later, and trainer John Bell believes Twain can match that feat. The five-year-old son of Per Incanto hasn’t put a foot wrong so far in his career, winning six and placing in three of…

Emotions will run high if war horse Mali Ston (NZ) (El Roca) can go one better in Saturday’s Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa. The eight-year-old will again resume in the Waikato Stud-sponsored feature and trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have been delighted with his progress. Bred and raced by Markwood Lodge, Mali Ston has been given a thorough grounding for his return after finishing a first-up second behind Bonny Lass 12 months ago. “He didn’t get all favours, he was completely off the bridle at the 600 and…

Canterbury gelding Matscot (NZ) (Haradasun) is once again set to fly the southern flag in the North Island next month when he crosses the Cook Strait to contest the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa. The eight-year-old son of Haradasun ran third in the race last year, when it was run as the Arrowfield Stud Plate at Matamata, and trainers Sharon Robertson and Alan Reeves are looking forward to returning to Waikato with their charge in a bid to go two better in the mile feature. Matscot made…

Following his successful stint in New Zealand over summer, expat Kiwi jockey Rory Hutchings is set to return to his homeland next month. While he spent several months in New Zealand at the start of the year, this trip will be a hit-and-run mission for the Sydney-based hoop, who has answered the call of leading New Zealand stable Te Akau. He has been booked to ride Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s Group One winner Quintessa (Shamus Award) in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on September 6, and he…

Cambridge trainer Mark Treweek continued his great record on his local synthetic track on Wednesday when Seamsew (Brazen Beau) took out the Saddley Warehouse (970m). The seven-year-old son of Brazen Beau jumped away well from his wide gate and was sent straight to the front by apprentice jockey Rihaan Goyaram. Seamsew continued to lead the pack into the turn and was asked to improve by Goyaram, and he quickly responded, opening up several lengths on his rivals. Race favourite Electric Zou closed quickly late, but came up a long head…

Tommy Berry can make a case for Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) upsetting the apple cart in the Winx Stakes. All eyes will be on the return of star mare Via Sistina in the Winx Stakes but rival jockey Tommy Berry believes it just might be the right race at the right time for Gringotts in the gelding’s bid for a second major. Gringotts will kick off his campaign in Saturday’s Randwick feature having captured his maiden Group 1 win in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) last campaign. While several of Gringott’s rivals are better known over longer journeys,…

Timaru trainer Stephanie Faulkner looks to have her hands on another exciting ex-Hong Kong galloper, with stakes winner Leedox (NZ) (Time Test) set to make his New Zealand return. Faulkner had plenty of success with fellow former Hong Kong galloper Green Luck, who claimed last year’s Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) and North Canterbury Cup (2000m). Following his retirement late last year, Faulkner was on the lookout for a replacement, and her connection with Green Luck led to Leedox joining her barn in March. Initially trained by Andrew Forsman, Leedox…