Emma-Lee Browne says they will likely take a little bit of time to savour Basilinna’s (NZ) (Staphanos) Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) win before looking to lock down the right pathway for the mare to this year’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). Basilinna earned herself a ballot exemption into this year’s Melbourne Cup with her victory in Saturday’s Andrew Ramsden at Flemington in rain-affected conditions. “I think it’s everything we all dreamed about, so it’s a massive result for the team,” Browne said on Sunday of qualifying Basilinna for the Cup.…
Author: NZRacingDesk
Second Derby shot beckons for Imperialist
A Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) tilt remains on the table for Gr.3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) winner Imperialist (NZ) (Churchill) despite his failure to see out the staying journey in the Sydney classic. The three-year-old posted a strong win in Saturday’s Rough Habit Plate at Doomben, a traditional lead-up to the Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm in two weeks. However, connections have a decision to make after trainer Chris Waller admitted the son of Churchill didn’t appear to see out the classic journey when finishing among the tailenders in the Gr.1 ATC Australian Derby (2400m) last month. “He…
Parsons joins 1000-win club
Balcairn trainer Karen Parsons is the latest member to be inducted into the 1000-win club after she reached the milestone at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting last Thursday. She started the day on 998 victories and was taken to within one of the milestone when Sway Up took out the second race on the card, and an hour later in-form gelding Tumuch secured the honours for his handler when winning his mile contest. In a red-letter day for the stable, Miss Brittany and Funfetti further added to Parsons’ tally when taking out…
Iffraaj mare delivers satisfying stakes win
Francee’s (NZ) (Iffraaj) victory in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) was of special significance for Haunui Farm on a number of fronts. Not only was it a first stakes victory for the homebred and raced Iffraaj mare, it also brought back memories of a successful association and coincided with stud managing director Mark Chitty’s university reunion. Trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, the well-related Francee added black-type performance to her pedigree and ensured she will be a valuable future addition to the Haunui broodmare band. She is a…
Brisbane calling Bankers Choice
New Lindsay Park acquisition Bankers Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) is likely to follow the path of Without A Fight into the Caulfield Cup. The Ben, Will and J D Hayes-trained stayer holds a nomination in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on Saturday, but is considered unlikely to run. Bankers Choice had initially been down to run in the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, but as he already had secured a Caulfield Cup berth courtesy of his win in the Listed Mornington Cup last month, it was decided…
Te Akau score quinella at Casterton
Te Akau scored a kiwi bred quinella in an action-packed Two Rivers Steeplechase at Casterton on Sunday, as Steven Pateman and The Mighty Spar (NZ) (Savabeel) pulled clear of Prismatic (NZ) (Savabeel) and Will Gordon late. The Mighty Spar was supported late ($3.20 into $2.80) to take favouritism from his stablemate ($2.30 out to $3.50) and got a perfect run for most of the 3800-metre contest. Despite guest appearances from an enthusiastic but riderless Flying Pierro, and a gawking kangaroo, The Mighty Spar jumped beautifully throughout and took the lead…
Elle enchants at Casterton
Former New Zealand mare Enchanted Elle (NZ) (Jakkalberry) marked herself as a hurdler to watch this season at Casterton on Sunday, breaking her jumps maiden in fine style under the in-form Will Gordon. Trained by Symon Wilde, the daughter of Jakkalberry had done little in three Australian flat runs since arriving last October, but she ran a game second to Singforpeace in a maiden hurdle at Warrnambool last start, with a 20-length gap to third. Enchanted Elle ($2.70) jumped a clear second pick behind the consistent Balinor ($2), but Wilde’s…
Promising filly caps off top week for Pertab
There were a couple of nervous moments for Kurtis Pertab ahead of War Queen’s (NZ) (Proisir) debut at Hawera on Sunday, but the filly brought her trial form to the races and delivered a tidy victory in the Grangewilliam Stud (1200m). A daughter of Proisir, War Queen had a reputation for barrier woes and that almost continued at the Central Districts meeting, taking her time to link into barrier one. But, the filly eventually took her place and flew out when the gates opened, settling in the lead under Ace…
The comeback King reigns in Ellerslie staying contest
King Of The North (NZ) (Jon Snow) went from zero to hero in the space of two minutes at Ellerslie on Saturday, surprising even his trainers with a massive performance to win the Join TAB Racing Club 2100. An aptly named son of Jon Snow, King Of The North has made a strong early impression as a stayer and was sent out favourite in Saturday’s Rating 75 contest – but he looked more like a pauper than a king after missing the start by five lengths. But, in-form apprentice jockey…
Who Knows never in doubt at Trentham
Promising staying mare Who Knows (NZ) (Redwood) delivered the result many anticipated when she took out a competitive John Turkington Forestry / Waipine Country Cup (2200m) at Trentham on Saturday. The daughter of Redwood has been patiently handled by Niall Quinn, with just ten prior starts including two wins at a mile and 2100m. After building nicely into her autumn campaign, Who Knows was back out to a distance she truly thrives at and was backed as the horse to beat on Saturday, closing a shortening $2.10 favourite. While punters…