Category: Featured

Lib and Katrina Petagna’s Elsdon Park is fast building a reputation for excellence despite still being in its infancy. The Wellington couple took ownership of the stunning Matamata property formerly known as Valachi Downs in 2022, and their investment is paying dividends. Under the watch of General Manager Kerrie Cox, quality graduates are already emerging from the farm, while Petagna’s well-known apple green silks with a navy sash and navy and yellow striped sleeves continue to be prominent on the racetrack. Elsdon Park will present 32 yearlings (28 Book 1,…

A massive week of racing, buying and selling awaits! Michael has some breaking news before looking ahead to the Karaka Millions, before heading out to Karaka to chat with some heavy hitters ahead of the 100th Yearling Sales. Plus a tribute to Via Sistina following her retirement. Guerin Report – S2 Ep.20- Karaka Millions & Yearling Sales Preview

Cranbourne trainer Cindy Alderson left Ellerslie on Tuesday morning well satisfied that Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) is on target for his Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) mission. The last-start winner of the A$1 million The Meteorite (1200m) on his home track in late November confirmed his position as equal favourite for Saturday’s big sprint with a bold hitout under regular rider Logan Bates. “I was really pleased with him, he appeared to enjoy himself and Logan confirmed that he handled it well going right-handed,” Alderson said. “He arrived on Sunday and has…

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Craig Williams will ride progressive mare Knobelas (NZ) (Belardo) for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr in New Zealand this Saturday. The star jockey is already booked to ride Alabama Lass in the Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200 metres) at Ellerslie. The Price-Kent stable will be hoping for a bit more luck with the daughter of Belardo after a horror watch at Flemington last start. But that luckless run certainly hasn’t discouraged punters, with Knobelas backed into favouritism at the weekend for the Aotearoa Classic (1600 metres) at the Karaka…

A Tuesday morning trial at Deagon sees an unusually strong line-up of Queensland’s best talent heading there and highlighted by Antino’s (NZ) (Redwood) first public outing towards the Sydney’s autumn carnival. Tony Gollan left no stone unturned in finding answers to why the seven-year-old finished last, beaten by nearly eight lengths, in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley last October, but he is confident the gelding is back as good as he was this time last year. “I’m very happy with him,” Gollan said. “I did bone scans…

Many vendors have been involved in New Zealand’s National Yearling Sale through a large part of its existence, boasting proud histories that span multiple generations and famed Southern nursery Inglewood Stud certainly fits that bill. The North Canterbury operation is the oldest thoroughbred stud still standing a stallion in New Zealand. Still located in its original Ohoka property, it was founded in 1938 by New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame inductee Ken Austin, who offered his first draft at the National Yearling Sale a couple of years later. But Austin’s…

A stirring exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Friday has training partners Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall in positive frame of mind as they put the final polish on Lollapalooza and Fleeting Star ahead of Saturday’s Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). The stablemates looked sharp as they reeled off 1000m on the upgraded soft 6 track in 1:01.56 and completed their hitout well-held with a final 600m in 34.98. “It was very good work and confirmed that they’re on target for Ellerslie,” Richardson said. “They’re both really fit, but…

A two-step home track plan for promising Matamata youngster Justin Case will come into play on Wednesday. Raced by breeder Waikato Stud with Ohukia Lodge’s Jamie Beatson, the well-related son of Banquo will run in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO (1100m) with a crack at the Gr.3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m) to follow on February 14. Justin Case was a spring trial winner at Taupo before he was put aside after finishing runner-up in his race day debut in early November. “It was aways the plan after Pukekohe to…

Zac Purton lauded trainer Manfred Man’s horsemanship after Patch Of Cosmo (NZ) (Super Seth) successfully returned from injury to stake a claim for the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Sidelined since March, 2025 after suffering a tendon injury, Patch Of Cosmo eclipsed a classy group of rivals to win by a neck from Aerodynamics and Pope Cody in 1m 34.53s after jumping from barrier nine. Rated 77 pre-race, the Super Seth gelding deserves his place in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, according to…