Category: Gallops

A Tuesday morning trial at Deagon sees an unusually strong line-up of Queensland’s best talent heading there and highlighted by Antino’s (NZ) (Redwood) first public outing towards the Sydney’s autumn carnival. Tony Gollan left no stone unturned in finding answers to why the seven-year-old finished last, beaten by nearly eight lengths, in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley last October, but he is confident the gelding is back as good as he was this time last year. “I’m very happy with him,” Gollan said. “I did bone scans…

Many vendors have been involved in New Zealand’s National Yearling Sale through a large part of its existence, boasting proud histories that span multiple generations and famed Southern nursery Inglewood Stud certainly fits that bill. The North Canterbury operation is the oldest thoroughbred stud still standing a stallion in New Zealand. Still located in its original Ohoka property, it was founded in 1938 by New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame inductee Ken Austin, who offered his first draft at the National Yearling Sale a couple of years later. But Austin’s…

A stirring exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Friday has training partners Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall in positive frame of mind as they put the final polish on Lollapalooza and Fleeting Star ahead of Saturday’s Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). The stablemates looked sharp as they reeled off 1000m on the upgraded soft 6 track in 1:01.56 and completed their hitout well-held with a final 600m in 34.98. “It was very good work and confirmed that they’re on target for Ellerslie,” Richardson said. “They’re both really fit, but…

A two-step home track plan for promising Matamata youngster Justin Case will come into play on Wednesday. Raced by breeder Waikato Stud with Ohukia Lodge’s Jamie Beatson, the well-related son of Banquo will run in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO (1100m) with a crack at the Gr.3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m) to follow on February 14. Justin Case was a spring trial winner at Taupo before he was put aside after finishing runner-up in his race day debut in early November. “It was aways the plan after Pukekohe to…

Zac Purton lauded trainer Manfred Man’s horsemanship after Patch Of Cosmo (NZ) (Super Seth) successfully returned from injury to stake a claim for the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Sidelined since March, 2025 after suffering a tendon injury, Patch Of Cosmo eclipsed a classy group of rivals to win by a neck from Aerodynamics and Pope Cody in 1m 34.53s after jumping from barrier nine. Rated 77 pre-race, the Super Seth gelding deserves his place in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, according to…

Six-time Group One-winning sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) has been crowned Timeform’s Horse of the Year (2025). Trained by David Hayes, last season’s Hong Kong Horse of the Year (2024/25) also earned the accolade as Timeform’s Champion Sprinter (2025). A record-breaking phenom, Ka Ying Rising has earned HK$122.57 million and has won 17 of 19 career starts, including 16 in succession – equal to Golden Sixty’s record and one shy of Silent Witness’ all-time record in the city (17). According to Timeform, New Zealand-bred Ka Ying Rising had five…

Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray elected to take a detour to Pukekohe on Sunday with their Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) bound filly Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma), and it looks to have paid off. The Oaks Stud-bred and raced filly also accepted for the Gr.3 NZB Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) a day prior, but following a week of wet weather coupled with the long journey south to Trentham, the Cambridge trainers elected for a target closer to home. “It was hard with the weather and the…

This time last year Stratford trainer Gavin Sharrock experienced the hype of Karaka Millions week with his then two-year-old Daylight Robbery, and 12 months on he is hoping two of his stablemates can successfully launch their bids towards the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March. Homebred gelding Country Salon (NZ) (Darci Brahma) will be first-up in the Race Images 1340 at Wanganui on Monday, where Sharrock expects him to be competitive following his runner-up trial over 1200m at Foxton earlier this week. “He is very well in himself,”…

Group One winning gelding War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) will be seen in an early feature sprint when he lines up in the Gr.2 Australia Stakes (1200m) this Friday night. Usually run at Moonee Valley, this year’s edition will be run under lights at Southside Pakenham with the Moonee Valley track under reconstruction. War Machine announced himself as one of the top sprinters in the country winning the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in the Winter, resuming with an equally impressive victory in the Gr.2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) with 60kg in…

Join a full team this week on Weigh In. Guy Heveldt, Aidan Rodley and Emily Murphy break down the action from stakes racing at Trentham. They also rewind back to last Sunday at Ellerslie where some key contenders went around ahead of Saturday’s Karaka Millions race night. Weigh In, January 18