Australian-sourced talent has shone brightly among Stephen Marsh’s two-year-olds this season, and that trend could continue when the Cambridge trainer unveils the royally bred Moretothinkabout at Ruakaka on Saturday. Marsh’s juveniles have combined to record eight wins this season, headed by Listed successes by To Cap It All in the Wellesley Stakes (1100m) and Little Black Dress in the Star Way Stakes (1200m). To Cap It All also finished second in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and third in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). Both members of that stakes-winning…
Category: Featured
Data surprise on Derby winner’s best trip
Scientific tests have revealed surprising results on the distance aptitude of this season’s star New Zealand staying three-year-old Willydoit. The son of Tarzino produced his peak performance to romp home in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and was transferred to leading trainer Ciaron Maher following a gallant fourth in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m). Willydoit was raced by Byerley Park trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy with Bryan Black and international micro share syndicator MyRacehorse, who all remain in the ownership of the gelding. “I spoke to Ciaron over at…
Campbell looking forward to unwrapping another promising youngster
Andrew Campbell will unveil another exciting youngster at Hawera on Saturday when two-year-old gelding Valvano makes his debut in the Simon Bendall @ Metcalfe Real Estate (1200m). Purchased out of Rich Hill Stud’s 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Campbell, Tommy Heptinstall and Michael Hickmott for $110,000, Valvano has shown a lot of promise and Campbell is excited about his future. “We like the horse, he is above average,” Campbell said. The son of Shocking had his first public outing last month when placing in his…
Oulaghan sticking with proven partnership in Hawke’s Bay feature
An exciting match-up between champion jumper West Coast and rising star Jesko is imminent, but the former’s trainer Mark Oulaghan is sticking with the old firm for the time being, with Shaun Fannin in the saddle in Sunday’s Glenanthony Simmentals Stud Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) at Woodville. Fannin, who trains Jesko in partnership with his wife Hazel Fannin, is the regular rider of both mounts, but Jesko will bypass the Woodville meeting, and Oulaghan opted for the familiarity and experience Fannin provides on the son of Mettre En Jeu. “Shaun’s…
Talented Lazio making most of his chances
Well-related five-year-old Lazio has already won two open handicaps in his brief career and he is a strong hope to add to his record at Hawera on Saturday. The son of Per Incanto will step out in the Property Management Specialist @ Metcalfe Real Estate (1200m) ahead of a sterner test. Due to soundness issues, Lazio has only made eight appearances, but four wins and three placings show he’s inherited a good measure of the family ability. “He’s had knee trouble with bone chips and different things and if he…
Vittorio Veneto provides perfect gift at Cambridge
Underrated galloper Vittorio Veneto (NZ) (Redwood) delivered the perfect gift for connections on Cambridge’s synthetic track on Thursday, powering to victory in the Cambridge Real Estate 1300. A lightly-tried son of Redwood, Vittorio Veneto had finished in the top five in six of his attempts on the all-weather surface, but flew under the radar in an open contest where Lhasa (Hellbent) carried a clear topweight and much of the field were near the minimum. Jumping from the centre of the line, Vittorio Veneto showed speed early under apprentice jockey Rihaan…
Pencarrow takes top billing in National Online Breeding Stock Sale
Pencarrow Stud’s select offering of four broodmares proved to be the star attraction in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus on Wednesday, earning the two highest prices of the sale. Pencarrow’s draft achieved an aggregate of $288,500 and an average price of $72,125, including the two mares in the catalogue that broke the six-figure mark. The Group Three-placed Asama Blue (Fastnet Rock), who was offered in foal to the exciting Windsor Park Stud shuttle stallion Paddington, fetched a sale-topping price of $126,000 to the Sunlight Trust.Fellow…
Brosnan hoping to build on recent milestone
Peter Brosnan brought up his century of winners in emphatic style last weekend at Te Rapa, and the Matamata horseman will head south on Sunday with a couple of key contenders in the Hawke’s Bay features at Woodville. Brosnan was sitting on 99 wins heading into last Saturday’s Te Rapa meeting, and it wasn’t long before Squire (NZ) (Savile Row), who he trains in partnership with wife Jessica, scored a nine-length demolition of his rivals in the open hurdle. He was rapt with the result, with the milestone coming as…
Vale Ngakau Hailey
The New Zealand racing industry is in mourning following the passing of apprentice jockey Ngakau Hailey. The 18-year-old hoop was involved in a vehicle accident in Hamilton on Wednesday between a dirt bike and car, with Hailey sustaining critical injuries, and he later passed away at Hamilton Hospital. “It’s tragic, words just can’t describe it. I was talking with him on Monday and then this happens,” New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Northern Riding Master Noel Harris said. Apprenticed to Te Awamutu trainer Debbie Sweeney, Hailey kicked off his riding career two…
Gifted Spandeedo still a work in progress
Speedy youngster Spandeedo (NZ) (Ferrando) will be even more of a force to be reckoned with when he learns to harness his abundance of pace. Despite his youthful enthusiasm, the son of Ferrando has collected a win and two placings from three appearances and will bid to add to his record in Saturday’s Simon Bendall @ Metcalfe Real Estate 2YO (1200m) at Hawera. “He should have won three in a row really, if they let him run he just goes too fast into the turn and can’t corner so well,”…