Category: Featured

After being edged out by a nose by Tajana in a thrilling battle in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m) at Ellerslie four weeks ago, Lollapalooza will try to reverse that result in Saturday’s Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes over the same course and distance. Lollapalooza and Tajana have emerged as early standouts in this season’s crop of three-year-old fillies, collecting three Group Three victories between them through August and September. Tajana was the first to get on the board with a powerful come-from-behind win in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’…

Having ridden in six previous editions of The Everest (1200m) as well as multiple clashes with Ka Ying Rising in Hong Kong, jockey James McDonald has a good idea of what to expect when the world’s highest-rated sprinter makes his Australian debut in the A$20 million feature at Randwick on Saturday. McDonald is the only jockey to have ever beaten Ka Ying Rising, twice edging out the New Zealand-bred champion aboard Wunderbar at Sha Tin in January 2024. Since then, McDonald has been among the beaten brigade on several occasions…

Ellerslie has been the scene of some of El Vencedor’s most memorable performances, and Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) could see the reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year become only the second horse to win four Group One races at the Auckland track. El Vencedor recorded his first Group One win with a giant-killing victory over $1.20 favourite Legarto in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) in March of 2024. He returned last season to add the Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and a repeat result in the Bonecrusher New…

Promising stayer Danjuro has been a work in progress with time expected to further improve his racing manners. The son of Saxon Warrior has showed his talent with four wins on the board and the promise of adding to that record when he steps out in the Steelform Roofing Waverley Cup (2200m) on Sunday. “He’s always showed ability, but he is quirky and he ran off at Wellington one day,” said Peter Didham, who prepares the five-year-old with son Trent. “He’s done a couple of odd things and can be…

In a week where Cambridge Stud’s focus is largely around Joliestar’s (Zoustar) tilt at the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m), it was their first-season sire Sword Of State who was making headlines across the Tasman on Wednesday. A champion juvenile by Snitzel, Sword Of State retired to the Cambridge nursery after his three-year-old term and was the leading New Zealand-based first season sire at the yearling sales in 2025. Among his progeny to go through the ring at Karaka was a filly out of the Keeper mare Ruthless Lady…

Ben Hayes admits he’s unsure whether War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) has what it takes to win The Everest this Saturday. But that’s exactly why he’s so excited about it. The Stradbroke winner, who is unbeaten since joining the Lindsay Park operation, has been well supported in most markets after drawing barrier 4 for the $20 million sprint in Sydney. “The exciting thing about War Machine is that we don’t know his limit yet,” Hayes told The Verdict podcast. “Since we’ve had him, he’s had four starts for four wins…

Richmond Downs-based Foxhill Thoroughbreds is operated by Benji King, the eldest son of Brighthill Farm founders Nick and Anne-Marie King, along with his partner Lena Jones. The Foxhill name has appeared among purchasers lists at Karaka in previous years – buying one yearling from Karaka 2024, two weanlings from the 2024 Weanling Sale, three yearlings from Karaka 2025 and a weanling from the 2025 Weanling Sale. But this is their first time on the other side of the ledger with a draft going through the sale ring under their name.…

Speed Dragon (NZ) (Darci Brahma) made a triumphant return to racing on Wednesday following 241 days away after scorching to a rousing first-up success in the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Lei Yue Mun Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley. Sidelined for four months following a ligament injury, Speed Dragon – the first winner of a running treble for jockey Vincent Ho – crossed immediately from his wide draw (10) to settle in last position. Pacesetter Telecom Fighters made the running before yielding at the top of the home straight as Speed…

A drop back in distance will be to the liking of the Tony Pike-trained Agera (NZ) (Complacent) in Friday’s Listed Matamata Cup (1600m). The six-year-old will be the stable’s only representative at the meeting in take two of the Team Wealleans-sponsored feature after it fell afoul of the weather on its original date earlier this month. Pike had intended to run the son of Complacent in the Cup but was unable to book a suitable jockey and the gelding instead finished fourth in the open handicap over ground. “The mile…

A familiar face will return to the Kiwi jockey’s room at Ellerslie on Saturday, with Kozzi Asano rejoining the ranks after a stint in South Korea. Originally hailing from Japan, the 30-year-old came to New Zealand to pursue his career as a jockey and swiftly to prominence as an apprentice, winning the apprentice jockey’s premiership in 2019/20. Before taking a contract in Korea last term, he rode a total of 336 winners in eight seasons, 20 of those at stakes level and two Group Ones. During his time in the…