Category: Australian Gallops

Wolfgang will return to Matamata after a three-run campaign in Australia. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Wolfgang will return to New Zealand after finishing at the tail of the field in Saturday’s Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington. Wolfgang, who races as Mister Wolfgang in Australia, won the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and New Zealand St Leger (2500m) last term, then crossed the Tasman for a campaign towards the time-honoured race staged in early November. His co-trainer Peter McKay was pleased…

1781450.jpg Lady Performer put plans of the broodmare paddock on hold for another year after capping off a consistent run of form in the Johnny Neil Builders (1400m) at Hawera on Saturday. The eight-year-old had nearly been retired at the end of the spring last season, but her owner-trainer Lydia Pickford opted to bring her back for another winter, which has paid off with Lady Performer recording a win, two seconds and five thirds since resuming in early April. She was due another winning turn, but facing Rating 75 grade…

Afterglo winning the Colliers Waikato Rural Real Estate (1400m) at Matamata on Saturday.Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Progressive mare Afterglo got her preparation back on track in impressive style in the deteriorating conditions at Matamata on Saturday. A winner on debut at the course in April, she has been patiently handled by local trainer Stephen Autridge and appeared first-up this spring in a competitive Rating 65 contest at Ellerslie, where she finished below expectations in 11th. Heeding advice from jockey Matt Cameron, Autridge moved on to the Colliers Waikato Rural…

War Machine and Blake Shinn win the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) David Hayes has a New Zealand-bred superstar heading into the A$20 million Group 1 The Everest (1200m) in two weeks, where his sons Ben, Will and JD Hayes might line up against him with a Kiwi-bred Group One winner of their own. Lindsay Park’s last-start Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) hero War Machine kicked off his new campaign in sparkling style in Saturday’s A$300,000 Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington. The…

Perfumist and Regan Bayliss combine in the Melbourne Storm Mile at Randwick on Saturday. PIcture: Bradley Photos. New Zealand-bred mare Perfumist bounced back to her brilliant best with a dominant front-running performance in the A$160,000 Melbourne Storm Mile (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. The daughter of El Roca burst onto the scene as a three-year-old last season with wins in five of her first nine starts, including four in a row in December and January. Those performances earned her a ticket across the Tasman for the inaugural $3.5 million NZB…

War Princess wins the NZB RTR 3YO (1400m) at Hawera on Saturday.Photo: Jane Davidson (Race Images Palmerston North) War Princess was the hottest favourite on the card at Hawera on Saturday, and she lived up to the hype with an effortless and confidence-boosting victory in the NZB RTR 3YO (1400m). The daughter of U S Navy Flag showed enormous promise as a two-year-old last season, winning her first two starts by a combined margin of four and a half lengths. She earned herself a shot at the big time, where…

Vincent Ho is back aboard The Boom Box at Saturday’s Sha Tin meeting. Picture: HKJC. Vincent Ho will attempt to kickstart his season at Sha Tin on Saturday with seven rides and a bit of help from some old friends among several leading chances. Ho, who missed the bulk of last season when sidelined following a fall, has been feeling his way back into form after months of intense rehabilitation. Discussing his rides at Saturday’s fixture, Ho highlighted The Boom Box (131lb), a three-time winner over course and distance, as…

Stolen Magic wins at Ascot Park on Friday. Photo: Monica Toretto. Local trainer Robert Dennis won half of the eight-race card at Ascot Park on Friday, culminating with a special win by Sir Sterling in the Vale Tony Dennis (1400m). The $40,000 race was run a month after the passing of Robert Dennis’ father, the multiple Group One-winning horseman Tony Dennis. “It’s been a terrific day – it’s always great to train any winner, so to get four is hugely rewarding,” Robert Dennis said. “Winning the race named for Dad…

Morotiri Molly is in the mix ahead of the Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes on Saturday. Picture: Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North). Foxton trainer Matt Dixon sees Saturday’s Group 3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) as an ideal target for Marotiri Molly in almost every way – apart from the Hawera weather and track conditions. Marotiri Molly’s rating of 100 is the highest in the field for the $100,000 fillies and mares’ feature. She has won six of her 16 starts and more than $245,000 in stakes, headed by…

Toa Haka will contest the Snapback @ Clearview Park 1200 at Phar Lap Raceway on Sunday.Photo: Race Images South Lochmara Bay has been knocking on the door of a maiden win and trainer David Walsh is hoping she can secure it at Phar Lap Raceway on Sunday when she contests the Ecoglo International NZ 1200. The four-year-old daughter of Sweynesse has finished runner-up in three of her four starts this preparation, all over 1400m, and Walsh is hoping a drop back in distance will benefit his mare. Lochmara Bay is…