A syndicate headed by Windsor Park Stud, Mapperley Stud & Lion Rock Bloodstock have secured Champion Three-Year-Old SAVAGLEE as he begins the next chapter of his career at stud. The son of 10-time champion sire Savabeel retires as one of the standout colts of his generation, combining precocity, brilliance and toughness throughout a career that produced seven wins from 900 metres to 1600 metres, along with elite-level performances on both sides of the Tasman. Prepared by trainer Pam Gerard, Savaglee first signalled his ability early in his two-year-old season winning on debut over 900…
Category: Gallops
Kingswood seeking to end NZ campaign on a high
It’s been a successful New Zealand raid for the Gavin Bedggood-trained Kingswood, and the grey entire will be looking to end it on a high when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday. The son of Roaring Lion won first-up in New Zealand on Boxing Day at Ellerslie in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) before finishing runner-up to Legarto in last month’s Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa. The ledger is now one apiece between the pair, with Legarto running third in the Zabeel Classic, and Bedggood is hoping…
Yulong’s Kiwi investment set to pay off on Champions Day
Burgeoning thoroughbred giant Yulong Investments has made a splash in New Zealand this season, buying up the nation’s top three-year-olds, and while they have already been rewarded with instant success, they are favoured to have plenty more on Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday. Zhang Yuesheng’s Victoria-based operation has purchased a quartet of Kiwi three-year-olds in the last six months, and they have tasted topline success courtesy of Well Written (Written Tycoon) in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park), who led home a…
Mr Brightside’s spring build-up to begin
He won’t be at Flemington this Saturday, but star miler Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) is close to beginning his build up towards a racetrack return. Lindsay Park ruled the eight-year-old out of this year’s Autumn Carnival when they discovered a small chip in Mr Brightside’s left fore fetlock last December. Mr Brightside has contested the past four editions of the All-Star Mile, winning it in 2023 before finishing second the past two years. “He’s in great order,” said Ben Hayes, who trains Mr Brightside in partnership with his brothers Will…
Te Akau not short of Champions’ Day ammunition
Te Akau’s black type troops will be out in force on Saturday with leading hopes chasing down elite level honours and a quartet of contenders in the hunt for the richest purse on offer at Ellerslie. Unbeaten filly Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution) will start a short-priced favourite in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m), although trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson also expect a bold showing from stablemate Out Of The Blue (NZ) (Tivaci). An uncharacteristic last-start failure aside, Towering Vision’s (NZ) (Circus Maximus) form entitles him to respect in the…
Haunui proudly flying Kiwi flag
The second running of the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie on Saturday is already a major triumph for Karaka nursery Haunui Farm. The stud has a remarkable five graduates chasing the richest prize in Australasia for three-year-olds with Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo), He Who Dares (NZ) (Snitzel), L’Aigle Noir (NZ) (Ribchester), War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca) in contention for the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race. “The amazing thing is that it’s a different style of race, someone has to pick your horse…
Gerard to launch two-pronged attack at NZB Kiwi
Pam Gerard started the week by farewelling her stable star Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) and she is hoping to end it on a high when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to line-up two runners in the second running of the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo) and Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes) have featured prominently among New Zealand’s three-year-old ranks this season, headed by their quinella in November’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton. Romanoff’s victory in that race secured the Canterbury Jockey Club’s NZB Kiwi…
Trav out to defend Auckland Cup crown
Bulls trainer Raymond Connors has a sense of déjà vu with his quality stayer Trav (NZ) (Almanzor) ahead of Saturday’s Gr.2 Trackside Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie. The son of Almanzor was strong late when finishing fourth in last year’s Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) ahead of his victory in the Auckland Cup, and he put in a near identical performance at Trentham in January when finishing fifth, giving Connors the confidence to press on to try and defend his crown in the Auckland Cup. “He is pretty similar (to last…
Jockey jump highlights Lady’s G1 chances
Regular rider Nash Rawiller will be in the opposition corner for Gringott’s (NZ) (Per Incanto) resumption. As Ciaron Maher prepares for the return of Gringotts in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, a rival jockey has inadvertently given a major push for one of the race’s key players. Nash Rawiller developed a strong partnership with Gringotts at the tail end of his most recent campaign, collecting back-to-back victories in the Big Dance and The Gong. Horse and jockey were penciled in to reunite in Saturday’s Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m), but…
All Eyes on Well Written in $4m NZB Kiwi
The barrier draw is complete for the $4m NZB Kiwi taking place Saturday at Ellerslie. Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo) was offered by Haunui Farm in Book 2 of Karaka 2024, where he was bought by Ballymore Stables/Paul Moroney Bloodstock/Catheryne Bruggeman for $75,000. He has had nine starts for two wins, two placings and $485,575 in prize-money, headed by Group One glory in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in November. He is eligible for the $1m Bonus Pool. To Bravery Born (NZ) (Snitzel) was bought by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis for $200,000 from…