Category: Featured

If Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) or Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), or both, win their respective races on FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday, celebrations will erupt worldwide. The Australian Hayes family is front and centre saddling these key contenders for the HK$22 million Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize and HK$24 million Gr.1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), respectively, but their cheers are likely to be matched by those of breeders and consigners 9,500km away from Hong Kong in New Zealand. For a small country, New Zealand has consistently punched…

Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) may not run again this season, with connections still to decide on the best path to take into a potentially mouth-watering spring clash with Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress). While further Group One conquests in Brisbane this winter are being considered for last Saturday’s Gr.1 All Aged Stakes winner, managing part-owner Ozzie Kheir said on Tuesday he feels it may be best for the horse to take his spell and to reset for a likely shot at October’s The Everest. “It is obviously…

Quality New Zealand galloper El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking), continued his preparations for the prestigious HK$28 million Gr.1 FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin this Sunday, with a solid workout on Hong Kong’s all-weather track on Tuesday morning. “He is striding out nicely,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “He’ll have a good hit-out on the turf on Thursday (24 April) with Zac (Purton). And that will do him.” El Vencedor’s journey to Hong Kong hasn’t been without challenges. Shortly after arrival, the son of Shocking experienced a minor setback…

Go Racing’s smart three-year-old Maison Louis (NZ) (Super Seth) is being aimed toward the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) on May 31 following his win in the TAB Handicap (1900m) at Canterbury on Monday. Jumping from barrier three, Maison Louis maintained a midfield position one off the rail, until the 300m mark when he was peeled four-wide, running down the leader, Existential Bob, to win by three-quarters of a length in comfortable fashion. The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained son of Super Seth has now had three wins, and a second…

Momentum continues to build for Emma-Lee and David Browne this season, with the husband-and-wife training partnership looking forward to running promising types across multiple states in the days and weeks ahead. One contender likely to line up for the stable on Friday is NZ$90,000 2024 NZB Karaka Book 1 purchase Just Kick (NZ) (Staphanos), who is being aimed towards the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. The daughter of Staphanos impressed on debut when finishing second to Saluted at Pakenham under Craig Williams, with the team tempted to try…

Windsor Park have announced their 2025 stallion fees. Leading European 2YO and Champion 3YO Auguste Rodin, the latest addition to their stallion roster, is oversubscribed at an introductory fee of $30,000+gst. A six-time Group One winner, including at two, Auguste Rodin trained on to become a Champion 3YO, winning both the English and Irish Derby’s. His Group One victories at three also included Weight-For-Age wins against older horses in the Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf to become the only 3YO in history to secure these four championship Group…

Group One-winning mare Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) passed away over the weekend following a paddock accident. Bred by Trelawney Stud, Loire was by Champion sire Redoute’s Choice and out of Traditionally mare Syrah, a half-sister to Group One winner Vouvray, the grandam of multiple Group One winner and Australian Horse of the Year Pride Of Jenni. Loire was retained by Trelawney’s Brent and Cherry Taylor and entrusted to the care of Cambridge trainer Tony Pike, for whom she won two and placed in five of her 16 starts, and accrued…

Former Singapore stars Lims Kosciuszko and Lims Saltoro may be Stradbroke Hcp bound in June. Trainer Dan Meagher says Saltoro has him quite excited. Dan Meagher 22.04.25 – Racing HQ with Steve Hewlett – Apple Podcasts

Electron (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) recorded her second Group Three placing in three starts when third in last Saturday’s Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie, and will look to end her season on a high at Te Rapa this weekend.  Owner-trainer Sam Mynott bought her for just $1,000 off gavelhouse.com two years ago and Electron has more than repaid that outlay, with Saturday’s result bringing her record to four wins and four placings from 14 starts, with earnings nearing $110,000.   “She is certainly worth more than I paid for her,”…