Author: NZRacingDesk

The new season of jumps racing commenced at Wanganui on Sunday, and it came as little surprise that the country’s leading hoop in Shaun Fannin was straight on the board, taking the Dr. John D. Moore Memorial Open Steeplechase (3800m) aboard his own Jesko (NZ) (Atlante). Since stepping into training in a larger capacity with wife Hazel, Fannin has lessened his riding commitments, but maintains his partnership with champion jumper West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu), who has largely contributed to his outstanding strike rate of 1.2, riding five winners…

Evergreen hurdler Verry Flash (NZ) (Zed) capped off a stellar weekend of results for owner Nicholas Bishara when opening his season with a tough victory in The Grant Sweeney Memorial Open Hurdle (3000m) at Wanganui on Sunday. A full-brother to champion mare Verry Elleegant, Verry Flash has had plenty of success in his own right, winning 14 races including three in the jumping role in the care of Kevin Myers. The gelding was heavily-backed in his return to hurdling for the year, closing a $1.90 favourite over stablemates Obrigado and…

Trainer Michael Chang will consider a tilt at the HK$4.2 million Gr.3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) on 31 May with Lady’s Choice (NZ) (Charm Spirit) after the much-improved gelding upstaged a class field of rising talents to win the Class 2 Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Saturday. Bred and sold by Ardsley Stud, Lady’s Choice led all the way under Matthew Poon to score at odds of 13/1, defeating Bottomuptogether by three quarters of a length with Tomodachi Kokoroe a head further way…

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War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) relished the solid tempo as he came from just off the speed to land the Thoroughbred Club of Australia Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday in comfortable fashion as he booked a trip to Queensland for the winter. It was the New Zealand-bred four-year-old’s first victory from his new quarters with trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes, after transferring from the stable of the late Michael Moroney and Glen Thompson. Positioned in third throughout under Jamie Mott, War Machine enjoyed the speed set by eventual…

Jockey Blake Shinn produced another masterful ride on Antino (NZ) (Redwood) as the dashing son of Redwood assumed command of the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) rounding the home bend and careered away for a three-and-a-half length victory over Fawkner Park (Zoffany) and Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park). The Tony Gollan-trained Group One winner was back in the winner’s circle after a fresh-up 11th in the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) on the back of a trip to Hong Kong where he was unplaced in the Gr.1 Hong Kong Mile after striking…

Hardy winter galloper Sotirio (NZ) (Wrote) produced the performance of his career to date as he thrust his nose in front at just the right moment to capture the feature short course event at Trentham on Saturday, the Australian Turf Club Autumn Sprint Final (1200m). Unsighted on raceday since finishing 3rd on a Heavy 10 surface at the venue back in November last year, the Matthew Eales-trained runner was allowed to drift in the betting market to start the $23 outsider on the tote in the ten-horse field. Fitted for…

Smart three-year-old filly Mary Eliza (NZ) (Super Seth) absorbed a strong tempo and still proved too good for her rivals when successful in the GMH Fire & Safety Australia Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Prepared by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, the daughter of Super Seth sat handy to the speed set by Conchiero (Conchiero) and under the three-kilo claim from Luke Cartwright forged clear to score by half a length from I Only Wish (Puissance De Lune). “Speaking pre-race, we said if she begins well and you can…

In his first racetrack appearance in 105 days, Enrico (NZ) (El Roca) stormed home from the back of the field for a dominant first-up win in the Trust House Masterton Cup (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. The El Roca gelding had shown plenty of promise in his 22 career appearances before Saturday’s heroics, although he had hinted at a preference for longer distances. His four previous victories had come over 1550m, 1600m, 2060m and in a $65,000 Rating 75 over 2200m at Trentham in January. He also ran a close…

Five-year-old mare Avebury (NZ) (Savabeel) relished the week back-up when successful at Caulfield on Saturday in the Summit Concepts Merchandise Handicap (1400m), having finished a close-up fifth at the same venue seven days earlier. The daughter of Savabeel sat just behind the speed throughout under Jye McNeil and relished getting clear air mid-straight to run out a ready winner for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman. Originally prepared by John O’Shea, Avebury was the winner of the Listed Canberra Guineas (1400m) for that stable as a three-year-old and was sold at…