Category: Gallops

Bidding to equal Silent Witness’ long-standing record for the most consecutive wins by a Hong Kong, China-trained horse, Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) swept to an imperious barrier trial victory at Sha Tin this morning (Thursday, 15 January) ahead of his tilt at history on 25 January. Preparing to chase a 17th straight victory when he contests the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin next week, Ka Ying Rising cruised over 1200m on Sha Tin’s dirt course under Zac Purton, clocking 1m 10.36s, and beating stablemate…

Stakes targets are in the offing for in-form gelding Brave Spirit (NZ) (Swiss Ace) if he continues his purple patch of form in Saturday’s Hope & Sons/Adam’s Plumbing Open 1400 at Wingatui. The consistent six-year-old was runner-up first-up in his stable debut for trainer Jospeh Waldron at Riccarton in October before going one better at the Christchurch track a month later. He then stepped up to Open company for the first time at Wingatui on Boxing Day where he was victorious in his 1200m contest. Waldron has been pleased with…

Stephen Marsh will be chasing a third victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham and is confident he has the firepower on reasonable ground to go close. The Cambridge trainer’s hopes of retaining the Harcourts-sponsored crown rest with Queen Zou (Zoustar) after reclaiming the title last year with Provence (NZ) (Savabeel) following the stable’s 2017 win with Thee Auld Floozie (NZ) (Mastercraftsman). Queen Zou earned top honours on New Year’s Day in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie with 53kg and the Zoustar mare will carry…

A nail may have scuppered her early summer targets, but Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb (NZ) (Complacent) is back on track and thriving ahead of her resuming run in Saturday’s Gr.2 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham. The seven-year-old daughter of Complacent was in red-hot form over spring, winning the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) in October. Trainer and part-owner Kim Reid then set her sights towards elite-level targets, eyeing the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham last month, but a stray nail…

Unbeaten Sword Of State colt Warwoven (NZ) (Sword Of State) remains the horse to beat in Saturday’s A$3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) after the race favourite drew barrier six. The juvenile has been dominant in his two starts to date, winning at Randwick in December before a commanding 3.3-length victory at Eagle Farm on January 3. Trainer Bjorn Baker is chasing his third win in the feature after scoring with O’ Ole (Ole Kirk) last year and Unencumbered (Testa Rossa) in 2014. “I think it is an ideal…

Father-and-son training partners Peter and Shaun McKay are taking a realistic approach to their prospects of further success when they return to their favourite track on the middle day of the Wellington Cup carnival. Trentham has been a happy hunting ground for the Matamata duo during their partnership that is now its fourth season, with 13 wins at a 20 percent strike-rate in their overall tally of 38 wins. Their highlight together was Wolfgang’s (NZ) (Puccini) double last season in the Gr.3 NZCIS Wellington Cup (3200m) and New Zealand St…

After returning to Hong Kong from a horrific trip back to Australia to fight the Longwood bushfire at his family’s property, the sight of Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) would have been a welcome one for David Hayes on Monday morning. Hayes says Ka Ying Rising has the capabilities to be a champion miler given how well he breathes but will avoid that temptation and keep him to the sprint trips. The world’s best sprinter galloped at Sha Tin on Monday morning as he prepares to have his first start…

A forecast for rain ahead of Saturday’s Trentham meeting has forced a rethink of plans for Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma) as she resumes her classic quest this weekend. Trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray had originally intended Saturday’s Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) to be Tajana’s first step on the path to next month’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m). However, the threat of rain in the lower North Island through the latter half of the week means that The Oaks Stud homebred will…

A fresh face has joined the Central Districts riding ranks this week, with Hong Kong national Alan Lai commencing a six-month stint in New Zealand. The apprentice jockey has spent the last couple of years riding in South Australia under the tutelage of Morphetville trainers Leon MacDonald and Andrew Gluyas, and fellow South Australian horseman Jon O’Connor. Lai recorded 53 wins in Australia, with his highlight being three consecutive Outback Cups Series victories, including the City of Port Augusta Cup (2300m), Roxby Downs Cup (1800m) and Quorn Cup (1900m), aboard…

The NZB Yearling Sales are in the DNA of NZ horse racing, with 100 years of them to be celebrated in a few weeks. In a one hour special, Michael chats with two icons of the sales, Sir Peter Vela and Joe Walls, and looks ahead to some massive racing in January. Guerin Report – S2 Ep. 19 – 100 Years Of Yearling Sales