Ocean Beyond (NZ) (Ocean Park) may not be the friend of the punter, but what he is he’s a consistent money spinner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained galloper will try to collect his biggest prize on Saturday when he runs in the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and attempt to build on his A$535,475 bankroll. Now an eight-year-old, Ocean Beyond has been winless since May 2022 when successful in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington. After originally starting out with Daniel Bowman at Warrnambool, which included a win on Ballarat Cup Day in 2021, Ocean Beyond then had a stint with Andrew Bobbin before…
Category: Featured
Master Fay set to take flight in Concorde
It may no longer be on the big stage of Karaka Millions night, but a win in Saturday’s Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Pukekohe would mean just as much to trainer Chad Ormsby. The Cambridge horseman is targeting the feature sprint with stable favourite Master Fay (Deep Field), who took out last year’s running on the highly anticipate meeting at Ellerslie on the eve of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales. It was Master Fay’s second start in New Zealand following his comeback from Hong Kong, where he won his…
Twain ready for Concorde as Bell eyes another Railway
Ultra-consistent sprinter Twain (NZ) (Per Incanto) is ready to take an important step to his main summer target when he lines up in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Pukekohe Park on Saturday. In 14 starts dating back to his debut in July last year, the Per Incanto gelding has won seven times and never finished further back than fourth. As a son of 2013 Gr.1 Sistema Railway Stakes (1200m) winner Fleur de Lune (NZ) (Stravinsky), it’s no surprise that the late January Ellerslie sprint is his prime assignment, and…
Mystic Park primed for Trentham sprint
Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman love a trip north to Trentham, and they are once again looking forward to heading to the Upper Hutt track this weekend with a trio of contenders. Trentham has been a happy hunting ground for the father-and-son duo, who have recorded some of their biggest wins at the track, including Savvy Coup’s (NZ) (Savabeel) Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) triumph and Enzo’s Lad’s (Testa Rossa) back-to-back victories in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m). “It is probably my favourite track,” Michael Pitman said. “It has been…
Manners the key for Taylor Square in Bonecrusher
Paul Mirabelli may have lost Group One performer Shoma (NZ) (Contributer) from his Cambridge stable, but he believes he still has plenty of three-year-old firepower in his barn. While still a maiden after 10 starts, Shoma impressed when placing in last month’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton, with that performance generating plenty of overseas interest in the son of Contributer. A deal was subsequently brokered with expat Kiwi trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, and he will continue his racing career from their Cranbourne barn. “People obviously…
South Island & Central Districts On-Farm Parades Kick off Road to Karaka 2026
The on-farm parades for the Karaka 2026 South Island vendors are scheduled for Thursday 18 & Friday 19 December, and then making its way through the Central Districts Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 December All prospective buyers are welcome to attend to inspect yearlings ahead of Karaka 2026, while enjoying New Zealand’s finest equine properties and hospitality. NZB and NZ-based agents are also available to inspect on your behalf should you require a head start on inspections and evaluations. Get in touch with NZB team for any assistance. View and download the schedule here. View…
La Dorada’s half-brother makes winning start
A four-horse field has thrown up a minor upset at Geelong on Thursday, as the $6.50 outsider, Mark Walker’s well-bred colt Golden Pulse, saluted smartly on debut in the 1147-metre two-year-old maiden. The Yulong-owned son of Tivaci was the only colt in the field and the least favoured of the quartet, but travelled into contention strongly under Beau Mertens and finished far too well for Eternal Joy ($2.90) and Got Tickets ($3.20). Though Golden Pulse hadn’t been a standout in his jumpouts, assistant trainer Ben Gleeson felt that was far…
Ka Ying Rising gallop pleases Hayes ahead of LONGINES Hong Kong International Races
Ka Ying Rising, the world’s top-rated sprinter, has delighted David Hayes in his final fast turf gallop ahead of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (LONGINES HKIR) on 14 December as a string of local contenders sharpened preparations with barrier trials at Sha Tin today (Thursday, 4 December). Ka Ying Rising will attempt to match Golden Sixty’s feat of winning 16 races in a row – a streak bettered only by Silent Witness (17 wins) as a Hong Kong, China-trained horse – when he tackles the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES…
Ears Back returns to happy hunting ground
Canterbury mare Ears Back’s best form has been in the North Island this year, and she has crossed the Cook Strait once more to try to add to her stakes haul. The seven-year-old daughter of Jakkalberry recorded her first black-type win in the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui in May and doubled her stakes tally when taking out the Gr.3 Metric Mile (1600m) at Trentham in September. She subsequently posted two unplaced runs in her home region, however, Blackadder said she did have her excuses for finishing last…
McDonald crowned World’s Best Jockey again
New Zealand jockey James McDonald has won the Longines World’s Best Jockey title for the second consecutive year and third time overall. The 33-year-old, who is based in Australia, also won the Longines World’s Best Jockey Award in 2022. On his way to claiming the 2025 title, McDonald won 12 of the world’s Top 100 Group or Grade 1 races. His qualifying victories included the Longines Hong Kong Cup, Longines Hong Kong Mile, Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000, and the Ladbrokes Cox Plate. McDonald dominated this year’s award, holding…