Category: Gallops

Tavi Time (NZ) (Tavistock) will be chasing his third feature race win in 12 months when he lines up in the Gong. Kris Lees will decide in the next 24 hours how many runners he will saddle up in the $1 million the Gong, but Tavi Time will be a definite starter despite a wide draw. The consistent performer has barrier 16 and stablemate Loch Eagle (Lonhro) 18, the latter having also been nominated for the Mooloolaba Cup (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast this weekend. Lees will assess both races…

Surprise weight-for-age packet Aftermath (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) will be more in his comfort zone at Pukekohe Park this weekend. The Shaun and Emma Clotworthy-trained six-year-old will step out in Saturday’s Gr.3 Myracehorse Counties Cup (2100m) after coping admirably with a major rise in class in his two lead-up performances. The son of Rock ‘N’ Pop finished in behind the major players at Ellerslie in both the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m). “At weight-for-age, he surprised me with those couple of fourths and back in…

Having become the most improved galloper in the north this season, the Tony Pike-trained Agera (NZ) (Complacent) may be given his chance at racing’s elite level in the TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m). The Trentham weight-for-age feature on December 6 has been penciled in by connections and any continuation of the wet weather may well confirm the mission. After winning just two of his 18 starts up to the end of last season, Agera has been a revelation over the past four months, beginning with a Cambridge Polytrack double in August.…

Group Three winner Spencer (NZ) (Derryn) will have a new trainer next to his name in the racebook when he heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Manawatu ITM 1340. Previously trained by Erin Hocquard in Waverley, Spencer has recently joined the Matamata barn of Peter and Shaun McKay, for whom he will have his first start this weekend. The six-year-old son of Derryn was a standout for Hocquard, having won eight and placed in five of his 26 starts for the South Taranaki horsewoman, including victory in last…

Malaysian buyers made a resounding statement at the recent New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, securing an impressive 44 lots with a combined spend of $1.93 million. Held at Karaka, the sale featured a vibrant catalogue of two-year-olds, and Malaysia’s presence was felt across a wide spectrum of vendors and sires. Out of 353 catalogued lots, 265 were sold—of which Malaysian buyers accounted for 12%, a significant footprint in one of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier juvenile auctions. Leading the Malaysian charge was Mr Charles Leck, who acquired seven lots…

Sir Peter Vela joined Gareth Hall for an extended chat live from Pencarrow Stud to speak on his life and background which led him into the racing & breeding game. The Amazing Life & Story Of Si… – Giddy Up – Apple Podcasts

It will be a full circle moment for Group One performer Wild Night (NZ) (Vanbrugh) when he returns to Windsor Park Stud following his retirement from racing this week. Bred by the Cambridge farm, the six-year-old gelding is by their Group One-producing sire Vanbrugh and out of Supreme, who is also the dam of Group Two winner Play That Song. Wild Night was offered through Windsor Park Stud’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where he was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $50,000.…

Meaningful Star (Pivotal) shone brightly last Saturday when runner-up in the Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1530m) and he could now get the opportunity to defend his crown in the Gr.3 Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday week. The seasoned campaigner rocketed home late and came within a short head of usurping Agera in the Tauranga Stakes, pleasing part-owner and co-trainer Grant Cooksley. “It was a good run. A couple of more strides and he would have been in front,” said Cooksley, who trains in partnership with Bruce Wallace.…

Late maturer Queen Of Kings (NZ) (Prince Of Brooklyn) has a gilt-edged opportunity at Phar Lap Raceway on Wednesday to add to her record. The five-year-old has been in fine touch this preparation and looks a leading chance in the Jon Snow & Echoes Of Heaven Handicap (1600m). A daughter of Prince Of Brooklyn, she broke her maiden at Oamaru during the winter and two runs back doubled her tally when successful in an open handicap at Ashburton where race rival Iffididit finished third. In between times, she has posted…

With a quinella in Saturday’s Gr. 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) done and dusted, trainer Pam Gerard is now setting about confirming summer plans for Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo) and Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes). The obvious route for the latest pair of Ballymore Stables stars is towards Ellerslie in late January for the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), followed six weeks later by the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), but Gerard is not rushing into defined decisions. “I stayed down in Christchurch until…