A sparkling track gallop at Cranbourne from Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) has Ciaron Maher considering an unlikely start in the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap. Maher said he would confer with the sprinter’s owners before deciding whether to accept in the Group One sprint over 1200m at Flemington on Saturday. The Maher team had been planning for the gelding’s return in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on March 21 before heading to Sydney for the Gr.1 T J Smith (1200m) at Randwick on April 4 and the…
Category: Featured
Hewitson hopes Storming Dragon can power home at Happy Valley
Lyle Hewitson hopes a favourable tempo can bring the best out of Ready To Run graduate Storming Dragon (Star Turn) when Jamie Richards’ runner tackles the Class 3 New Lantao Bus Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (4 March). Lucky Planet, Matters Most, Metro Power and Beauty Glory have led and won races this season, setting up the possibility of a potent speed battle, one which could play into the hands of fast-closer Storming Dragon. Hewitson said: “I’ve only ridden him over 1650 (metres) and although…
Mates savouring golden run with exceptional filly
Well Written (Written Tycoon) may carry the colours of thoroughbred industry giant Yulong Investments, but she has an army of other part-owners who will be cheering her home in Saturday’s $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie. The undefeated Group One-winning filly has 16 individual ownership interests, with Yulong holding the controlling interest, and all her connections are equally enjoying the journey she is taking them on. Well Written has won all five of her starts to date for trainer Stephen Marsh, with Yulong buying their interest in the filly…
Archer’s optimism unbending ahead of NZB Kiwi
David Archer has participated in more than enough of racing’s big dances to know that on a racetrack nothing can be taken for granted or predicted with absolute accuracy. That’s why his optimism ahead of Saturday’s $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) remains unbending despite the formidable challenge presented by Well Written, who has dominated pre-race discussions as the unbeaten winner of five races and since the last of those in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), the $1.20 favourite. Archer is the breeder and co-owner with his partner Diane…
Road to the Derby: Dazzling Fit ready for further success after an encouraging run in Hong Kong Classic Cup
In the 11th instalment of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Road to the Derby series, we take a look at the “upward trajectory” of Dazzling Fit (NZ) (Ribchester) after his fifth in Sunday’s (1 March) HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m). While Frankie Lor’s Stormy Grove (Toronado) stole the show with a scorching success in the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series at Sha Tin, Dazzling Fit produced the sort of run that has trainer David Eustace hoping his charge will be peaking just in time for the…
$4 million NZB Kiwi Field Complete
Anticipation is building for The NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie this coming Saturday, with the field now complete following Slot Holder Kerri Spence Bloodstock and Clotworthy Racing’s selection of To Bravery Born (NZ) (Snitzel) as their representative in the $4 million feature. He brings leading New Zealand stable Te Akau Racing’s representation in the race to four horses, with He Who Dares (NZ) (Snitzel) competing in their own slot, while in form filly Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savebeel) will carry the hopes of Slot Holder The King’s Men, and La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) will have plenty barracking for…
Waikato Stud Convinced Filly is up to NZB Kiwi Task
Waikato Stud’s private trainer Kris Shailer has had a whirlwind last few months, and that is set to continue at Ellerslie on Champions Day when he lines-up homebred filly Convinced (NZ) (Super Seth) in the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). Shailer has had four wins from six starts this season, including victory in the Group Three Matamata Slipper (1200m) a fortnight ago with Justin Case (NZ) (Banquo), and he is hoping his golden run continues. Justin Case is set to step up to elite-level at Ellerslie next Saturday in the Group One Sistema Stakes…
Riddell notches up century of wins
In just her second season in the professional jockey ranks, Amber Riddell brought up her 100th win at Hawera on Friday, and she was rapt to achieve the milestone so early in her career. Riddell started competing in the amateur ranks, winning four races before progressing into an apprenticeship under Kevin Myers and subsequently transferred to Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta earlier this season. It was on the Latta-trained Starpello that she rode her 100th winner, at her 900th start, but Riddell admitted she wasn’t sure whether she had won on the line and…
Further posthumous stakes honours for Ghibellines
The loss of Ghibellines was further emphasised at Wingatui where the late resident of White Robe Lodge was the dominant force. The son of Shamardal was represented by two new stakes winners at the weekend and sired a trifecta on Saturday’s undercard. His son Cluedo Lane (NZ) claimed top honours in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight-For-Age (1600m) for trainer Joseph Waldron while Noble Knight (NZ) and Capo Dell Impero (NZ) quinellaed the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m). The Sandy Cunningham-prepared Noble Knight was bred and sold by White Robe…
The little horse that could eyes Derby crown
Aaron Bidlake admits he has always been a dreamer and this Saturday he is hoping one dream can turn into reality when his smart three-year-old Tulsa King (NZ) (Staphanos) lines-up in the Gr.1 HKJC World Pool New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie. The Hastings horseman has long held aspirations of competing in the $1.25 million Classic, and later this week he will realise that ambition when he treks north with his diminutive gelding, who he bought online for just $1,500. The son of Staphanos, who barely reaches 15 hands, failed…