Category: Featured

The boss of NZTR, Matt Ballesty, joins Michael in studio for an in-depth chat about the state of the industry, impending changes, and the future and plans with various tracks. Guerin Report – S2 Ep.3 Ft. Matt Ballesty

Cambridge Stud will break new ground this season when the iconic farm’s familiar gold and black checked silks will be in action in Hong Kong. Principals Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay have been granted an ownership permit with expatriate New Zealander Jamie Richards to train their Group One-performed representative Red Sea (NZ) (Pierata). “The Hong Kong Jockey Club invited I think around a dozen international owners to be part of the Hong Kong racing system,” Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre said. “Cambridge Stud has a single permit and in…

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Sadhbh scored a popular win at Te Rapa on Sunday when she broke through for her maiden victory in the Zappy – Send Couriers? Shipzappy.com 1500. The five-year-old daughter of Darci Brahma was bred and is raced by renowned racing photographer Trish Dunell, who was delighted to see her win while on the tools at Te Rapa. Dunell has taken a patient approach with her mare, who has just had the seven starts and has really come of age this preparation, placing in all three of her starts this time…

Trent Didham has become the fourth generation in his family to become a trainer after joining his father, Peter, in partnership earlier this month. The Awapuni horsemen have lined up four horses together in the last week, recording two runner-up results at Awapuni’s synthetic meeting on Sunday, a day that had three generations of the family on track. “It was pretty cool to do it (commence training) with Dad in partnership, I am pretty proud,” Trent Didham said. “Grandad was there as well (on Sunday), which was good. He trained…

Running Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel) first-up in the Gr.2 The Shorts (1100m) has never been Plan A for trainer Brad Widdup but after missing a scheduled start in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) due to a setback, he is resigned to pitting his charge against some of the country’s best sprinters. A key lead-up race to The Everest (1200m) on October 18, The Shorts is also being targeted by Gr.1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) winner Briasa (Smart Missile), who has been trialling superbly, along with the likes of Joliestar (Zoustar), Private Harry (Harry Angel) and Headwall (Dream Ahead). Jedibeel was scratched from the Concorde…

The last couple of years have been a test for apprentice jockey Elen Nicholas, who has spent a significant amount of time on the sidelines with injury, but she returned with renewed vigour this year and was rewarded at New Plymouth on Saturday when recording her 100th win in the saddle. The expat Welsh horsewoman was two wins shy of the milestone heading into the Taranaki meeting and was duly thrilled to pilot home the first two winners on the card, Tulsa King and Our Time Keeper, at odds of…