David Hayes has sounded an ominous warning over Ka Ying Rising’s (NZ) (Shamexpress) form as the world’s best sprinter bids to extend his winning streak to 15-consecutive races in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Hayes believes Ka Ying Rising has improved since returning from a historic victory in the AU$20m G1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick in Sydney on October 18, as the five-time G1 victor prepares to share Sunday’s stage with fellow champions Romantic Warrior and Voyage…
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Hayes upbeat over Ka Ying Rising ahead of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Race Day
David Hayes has sounded an ominous warning over Ka Ying Rising’s form as the world’s best sprinter bids to extend his winning streak to 15 consecutive races in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (23 November). Hayes believes Ka Ying Rising has improved since returning from a historic victory in the AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million) G1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick in Sydney, Australia on 18 October, as the five-time Group 1 victor prepares to share Sunday’s stage with…
Expectant father could be in for exciting weekend
This weekend could prove to be an exciting one for Matamata trainer Daniel Miller. The 28-year-old horseman will be lining up Tardis (NZ) (Time Test) in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe on Saturday for his parents, John and Maree, but he may not be trackside, with he and his partner Paige Weatherley expecting their first child. “My partner is due to have our first child any day now, so whether I actually make it to the races or not is yet to be decided,” he said. Miller…
Bailey off life support as condition takes a turn for the better
Apprentice jockey Bailey Rogerson remains in the intensive care unit at Waikato Hospital but her condition has taken a significant turn for the better, having regained consciousness and is now breathing without assistance. The 24-year-old’s grandfather Graeme Rogerson reported early Thursday afternoon that an MRI scan on Wednesday was followed by a major overall improvement in her health. While still feeling the effects of her Rotorua race fall on Sunday, Rogerson has begun the long road to recovery. “She’s certainly turned the corner and although she has a long way…
Group One target in the offing for Bedtime Story
Consistent mare Bedtime Story (NZ) (Per Incanto) could be in line for a tilt at elite-level if she performs up to expectations in the Manawatu ITM 1340 at Wanganui on Saturday. The five-year-old daughter of Per Incanto has hardly put a foot wrong so far in her 17-start career, and while she has placed in the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m) and Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m), a black-type victory remains elusive. She resumed this preparation in her customary fashion, running fourth in both of her starts this time in, including first-up…
Track a concern for high-class performer
Expectations for Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) will be kept in check when the outstanding mare resumes at Pukekohe on Saturday. The two-time top-flight winner will resume in the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) with underfoot conditions a major question mark. Opposing her will be talented stablemate Arabian Songbird (NZ) (Pierro), who has come through the grades in grand style. “Orchestral will probably run and definitely wants a better track, but we really need to get going and get her prep on the road,” said Robert Wellwood, who trains…
Lees hoping for good Time in Gong
Tavi Time (NZ) (Tavistock) will be chasing his third feature race win in 12 months when he lines up in the Gong. Kris Lees will decide in the next 24 hours how many runners he will saddle up in the $1 million the Gong, but Tavi Time will be a definite starter despite a wide draw. The consistent performer has barrier 16 and stablemate Loch Eagle (Lonhro) 18, the latter having also been nominated for the Mooloolaba Cup (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast this weekend. Lees will assess both races…
Aftermath well-placed to make Cup presence felt
Surprise weight-for-age packet Aftermath (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) will be more in his comfort zone at Pukekohe Park this weekend. The Shaun and Emma Clotworthy-trained six-year-old will step out in Saturday’s Gr.3 Myracehorse Counties Cup (2100m) after coping admirably with a major rise in class in his two lead-up performances. The son of Rock ‘N’ Pop finished in behind the major players at Ellerslie in both the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m). “At weight-for-age, he surprised me with those couple of fourths and back in…
Rise continues as Agera eyes TAB Mile
Having become the most improved galloper in the north this season, the Tony Pike-trained Agera (NZ) (Complacent) may be given his chance at racing’s elite level in the TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m). The Trentham weight-for-age feature on December 6 has been penciled in by connections and any continuation of the wet weather may well confirm the mission. After winning just two of his 18 starts up to the end of last season, Agera has been a revelation over the past four months, beginning with a Cambridge Polytrack double in August.…
Stable change for Spencer ahead of summer campaign
Group Three winner Spencer (NZ) (Derryn) will have a new trainer next to his name in the racebook when he heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Manawatu ITM 1340. Previously trained by Erin Hocquard in Waverley, Spencer has recently joined the Matamata barn of Peter and Shaun McKay, for whom he will have his first start this weekend. The six-year-old son of Derryn was a standout for Hocquard, having won eight and placed in five of his 26 starts for the South Taranaki horsewoman, including victory in last…