Author: NZRacingDesk

Classy three-year-old Love Poem (Snitzel) overcame a wide barrier draw and her tenacious stablemate I’m All In (NZ) (Zoustar) to score fresh-up at Tauranga in the J Swap Contractors 3YO (1200m). The Stephen Marsh-prepared filly hadn’t been seen since finishing a meritorious fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton back in November last year. Given a decent summer break by Marsh, the Group One placed daughter of Snitzel was fitted for her raceday return when finishing hard held in behind Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) and…

Trina Riddell and her daughter Amber shared a memorable victory at Wanganui on Saturday when Mr Mojo Risin’ (NZ) (Deep Field) romped home by almost five lengths in the $50,000 Wanganui-Taranaki Racehorse Owners Association Open (1340m). Mr Mojo Risin’ is trained by Andrew Forsman, who had a busy Saturday with runners at both Tauranga and Wanganui. The Cambridge trainer sent his senior staff member Trina Riddell south to oversee the stable’s Wanganui runners. Riddell’s daughter Amber was entrusted with the ride on Mr Mojo Risin’, with her 3kg claim reducing…

Impressive debut winner War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) made it two from two when she led from go to whoa in the opening event at Wanganui, the Wanganui Insurance Brokers 2YO (1200m). The two-year-old daughter of US Navy Flag looked to have untapped ability when she won over 1000m at Tauherenikau before enhancing that impression with a subsequent trial win at Foxton last month, where she headed home Group Two winner Too Sweet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin). Sent out a warm $2.60 favourite, rider Lily Sutherland bounced her away…

Stormland struck another winning blow for Cambridge Stud’s exciting young stallion Hello Youmzain. The two-year-old raced right up to trainer Ciaron Maher’s expectations with a tidy victory over 1000 metres on the Kensington track at Randwick on Thursday. Bred by Brendon and Jo Lindsay’s Cambridge Stud, Stormland was offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and was knocked down for A$325,000 to Darby Racing and Deburgh Equine. “He was a ripper of a yearling and Darby were keen on him so I’m rapt,” Maher said. “We’ve got options…

Trainer Ciaron Maher says he is excited to see former Horse of the Year Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) back at the races.  Pride Of Jenni makes her reappearance in the Gr.2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday, just over four months after suffering a bleeding attack.  Retirement had been announced for Pride Of Jenni after she finished last in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington in November which came at the end of a hectic spring.  Pride Of Jenni won the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley, went to Sydney to finish second in the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m)…

El Vencedor’s golden run of form has been recognised on the world stage, with the Stephen Marsh-trained gelding rated the 10th joint best galloper in the world in the latest LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. The son of Shocking has been a dominant force in New Zealand, winning his last four races, including the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). His performances haven’t gone unnoticed by the international racing fraternity, with the six-year-old earning an invite from the Hong…

A trip south to Ashburton on Thursday paid dividends for apprentice jockey Nichola Yuen, with the Hong Kong national scoring her first win in New Zealand aboard the Terri Rae-trained Spot On Time in the Agraforum Growing Innovation (1200m). Jumping well from barrier three, Yuen found an early trail behind pacemaker La Bella Nera where they enjoyed an economical passage before peeling off her back around the final turn. Spot On Time entered a duel down the straight with stablemate South Of Houston, but she showed her tenacity when rallying…

Promising filly Flash Roca has nearly earned back her purchase price without saluting the judge, and Kelvin Tyler is hoping that can change at Wingatui on Sunday. The daughter of El Roca was spotted at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales by Tyler and his sons, and at just $6,000 she was an inexpensive purchase for the Southland family. After underperforming on debut in September, Flash Roca has returned strongly in the new year, placing behind King Palm and more recently, last Sunday at Gore behind Pull The…

High-class mare Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir) will be out to deliver an emotional Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) win for connections just over two weeks after the death of her popular trainer Michael Moroney. The Melbourne Cup-winning horseman died in his sleep last month after recently making a training comeback following a serious battle with illness. His training partner Glen Thompson will saddle up Coeur Volante in Saturday’s Rosehill feature and says the mare has continued to please the stable since her sweeping four-length win in last month’s Gr.2 Mannerism Stakes…

Talented gelding Hasstobeawinner (NZ) (Vadamos) has lived up to his name this preparation and will be tested for the first time in Group company in Saturday’s Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga. The son of Vadamos had always shown promise and was rewarded for consistency with a lucrative prize in the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final, an effort he only improved off to finish second behind the airborne El Vencedor in the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m). In preparation for the Tauranga feature, Hasstobeawinner carried the top-weight at…