Category: Gallops

David Hayes has downplayed any concerns over star sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamespress) drawing barrier one for the first time in his career when he confronts 12 rivals in the HK$28 million Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin (1200m) on Sunday (14 December). Aiming for his 16th consecutive win with Ka Ying Rising, Hayes said the only fear was that the world’s highest-rated sprinter could miss the start. “I think the shortest way home is the rail,” Hayes said. “He is the fastest horse in the world,…

Darrell Hollinshead’s bid for a second success in Saturday’s Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) has been dealt a blow, but he remains in the hunt to turn back the clock. The Te Awamutu trainer won the staying feature 19 years ago with Bak Da Chief (NZ) (Chief Bearhart) and had expected to have two runners in this weekend’s Skycity Hamilton-sponsored event at Te Rapa. However, his hopes will now solely rest on Rosetown Princess (NZ) (Redwood) with stablemate Ramblin’ Rose (NZ) (Complacent) ruled out by injury. “I think she would have…

With NZB Kiwi favourite Well Written (Written Tycoon) confirmed to run in the Entain/TAB NZ slot in New Zealand’s richest race, attention is now being focused on decisions around other prominent candidates for the $4 million March 7 feature. Those horses include the Pam Gerard-trained Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) quinella pair Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo) and Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes). “No decision has been made yet on either horse,” Gerard said. “As the 2000 Guineas winner, Romanoff has first option on the Canterbury Jockey Club slot and those…

Stakes performer Smooth Operator (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) hasn’t had the best of luck over the last month, but trainer Stephanie Faulkner believes he is back on track to defend his title in Saturday’s Howley Joinery Southland Crystals (2200m) at Ascot Park. The six-year-old gelding headed into New Zealand Cup Week in solid form, having finished fourth in the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) at Riccarton in October, but he disappointed over the Cup carnival, finishing 10th and 13th respectively in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) and Gr.3 New Zealand Cup…

Dual Group One winner Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed) has been retired. Bred by Grangewilliam Stud, Ladies Man, a son of their resident stallion Zed, was the younger half-brother to Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Ladies First, and accordingly bore the weight of expectation from a young age. Like his older sibling, he joined the New Plymouth barn of Allan Sharrock and quickly showed his propensity for racing, placing in his first two starts as a three-year-old before winning his maiden over 1400m. He continued his upward trajectory, winning a further…

A bright future is being tipped for well-bred three-year-old Day One (Wootton Bassett) following his maiden victory in the Barfoot & Thompson 1600 at Ellerslie on Thursday. He had shown a lot of promise at the trials before running fifth on debut over 1400m at Arawa Park last month, and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson had been pleased with his subsequent progress. He jumped away well from his wide gate on Thursday, but there was plenty of speed inside him and jockey Opie Bosson was forced to ease his…

Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) has been thrust into unknown territory after drawing barrier one for the first time in his career as he attempts to defend his HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) title at Sha Tin on Sunday (14 December). Conceding it was not ideal to draw the inside barrier in the 13-horse field, trainer David Hayes said the world’s highest-rated sprinter simply had to jump fast and either take a sit or lead if Zac Purton is unhappy with the pace. “So, I think Zac…

Sunshine Coast trainer Liam Birchley knows what it takes to win the Listed TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) having trained two previous winners, and the Queensland conditioner will again be targeting the Ellerslie feature. Birchley prepared Hardline to win in 2015 and Sister Havana in 2010, while Sarge In Charge finished second for the stable in 2009. Two-year-old filly Dream Roca is being readied for the January 24 contest, with the daughter of El Roca set to line up over 1000m at Eagle Farm this weekend. Runner up to Lady…

New Zealand racing’s hottest property, Well Written, is locked in for the $4m The NZB Kiwi, after connections of the unbeaten filly signed up for the TAB slot, held by Entain New Zealand.  The daughter of Written Tycoon has won all three of her career starts in dominant  fashion, topped off by her Group 1 1000 Guineas victory at Riccarton last month.  The Cambridge-based filly will now be set for the richest 3-year-old race in the Southern  Hemisphere on 7 March at Ellerslie, with lead-up runs planned on Boxing Day and…

Emerging stayer Mollify looks to have another gilt-edged opportunity to further her record on Friday and progress toward more lucrative middle-distance assignments. The Cambridge Stud-bred and owned daughter of So You Think has thrived in a more rural environment since returning from Australia and promises another bold showing in The Duncan Dental Tauranga Twilight Cup (2100m). Mollify can kick-start a potentially lucrative weekend for the farm and private trainer Lance Noble with Jaarffi, Frostfair and Daring Dame in action at Te Rapa on Saturday. She has won two of her…