Mr Brightside might be missing from the autumn weight‑for‑age spotlight, but Lindsay Park could still have a serious player emerging, with trainer Ben Hayes confident Evaporate is ready to step up as soon as Saturday. “I haven’t spoken about him much, but he’s trailled up excellent and will be hopefully announcing himself this autumn,” Hayes said confidently. “What has let him down is his racing manners. He’s always been a headstrong horse and doing things wrong but still ran well. “When Jamie (Melham) rode him in his last jumpout (win…
Category: Gallops
Opawa Jack prevails in Wairoa Cup
Opawa Jack (NZ) (War Decree) prevailed in a battle of attrition in Sunday’s K9 Petfoods Ltd Wairoa Cup (2100m), carrying his 60kg impost to victory on rain-affected footing in the Waipukurau feature. The Chrissy Bambry-trained gelding jumped away well and settled outside pacemaker Just Charlie (NZ) (Zed) for jockey Kate Hercock before getting some brief cover when Vickezzmargaux (NZ) (Eminent) came around to challenge for the lead. The John Bary-trained mare eventually wrestled it off Just Charlie at the 600m mark and Opawa Jack ranged up alongside the Hastings mare,…
Local double for Wilson
Waipukurau trainer Simon Wilson enjoyed the rare luxury of racing on his home track on Sunday, and while the weather didn’t play its part, his racing team did, recording a winning double at the meeting. With remedial work taking place at both Hastings and Awapuni, Waipukurau has enjoyed a return to the racing calendar recently, with their November meeting well patronised by locals, with many returning to brave the wet weather in support of Sunday’s eight-race card. “The weather didn’t play its part yesterday, but it was well supported,” Wilson…
Partnership still going strong after nearly three decades
A long and successful Waikato breeding partnership was to the fore again at Matamata on Saturday where My Lips Are Sealed doubled her stakes tally. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained mare made all the running in the hands of Rory Hutchings for a comfortable resuming victory in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m). My Lips Are Sealed was bred by Rich Hill Stud, who stand her sire Ace High, and Scott Williams’ Bloodstock Resources, and was sold through the former’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale…
Yulong add another Guineas heroine to Kiwi portfolio
Impressive Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) winner Autumn Glory (NZ) (Ocean Park) has had an ownership change ahead of her tilt at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, with the daughter of Ocean Park to sport the colours of Yulong Investments. The late bloomer has been patiently handled by Roger James and Robert Wellwood and the filly dominated her male rivals at Te Rapa last week to advance her record to two wins from three starts, having broken maiden ranks at Ruakaka…
Timaru gelding proves too smooth in Invercargill Gold Cup
A $50,000 carrot is dangling in front of the connections of Timaru gelding Smooth Operator (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) following his victory in the Olphert Contracting Ltd Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m) at Ascot Park on Saturday. It was the second leg of the Southern Cups Bonus Series, where a $50,000 winner-takes-all bonus is up for grabs, and Smooth Operator now sits atop the standings, alongside Gore Cup (2200m) winner In Vegas, on five points. The stakes performer jumped a $2.90 favourite from the ace barrier in Saturday’s contest and was…
Enrico cascades home to snare Wairere Falls
Central Districts gelding Enrico (NZ) (El Roca) was rewarded for his consistency when taking home a big winner’s cheque following his victory in Saturday’s $350,000 Comag Wairere Falls (1500m) at Matamata. The Levin galloper trekked north to tackle the lucrative feature following a rich run of form for trainer Ilone Kelly, which included three stakes placings in his previous four starts, including the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m), Gr.3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m), and Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m). Despite his recent performances, he was unwanted by punters on his northern venture,…
Vale Martin Dennis
One of New Zealand racing’s most famous families has lost another member, with the recent passing of Martin Dennis, aged 82. Martin was the youngest member of the Dennis Brothers quartet, with the family facing a particularly tough last six months, with the passing of brother Tony in September. The brothers have been a pillar of South Island thoroughbred racing for more than 60 years, with a plethora of elite equine athletes coming off their Woodlands property. Dennis’ nephew, respected Southland trainer Robert Dennis, the son of the late Tony…
Movin Out strikes first-up
Last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) placegetter Movin Out (NZ) (Staphanos) made a winning start to her new preparation with an upset victory in the A$160,000 Macquarie St Social Handicap (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday. Originally trained by Bill Thurlow, Movin Out began her career with three starts in New Zealand for a win and two placings including a third behind Captured By Love and Alabama Lass in the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton. Subsequently purchased by thoroughbred powerhouse Yulong, the daughter of Staphanos joined Chris Waller’s operation in…
Diamond Jak shines brightly in Matamata gloom
With the weather closing in again towards the tail end of a memorable Matamata Breeders’ Stakes day, it was left to durable stayerDiamond Jak (NZ)(Jakkalberry) to add some further sparkle to proceedings as he bolted away with the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m). The enigmatic seven-year-old has proven a head scratcher at times for trainer Mark Brosnan, often ruining his chances with a tardy getaway from the starting gates. On his day however he is a force to be reckoned with and Saturday was his day as he…