Category: Gallops

English jockey George Rooke has enjoyed a breakthrough season in New Zealand, and he has been rewarded for his consistency with a trip to Sydney this week. The 24-year-old hoop will cross the Tasman to partner the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained She’s A Dealer (Ace High) in the Chalouhi Handicap (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday, with a view to heading towards the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm next month. Rooke has ridden the Rich Hill Stud-bred and raced filly in all three of her starts to date,…

Bill Thurlow will be represented far and wide in the coming days, although his southern-most runner is on a one-way ticket. He has bid farewell to Rebal Agent (NZ) (Complacent) who will make his final appearance under the Waverley trainer’s name when he lines up in the Speights Rating Handicap (1600m) at Wingatui on Friday. The son of Complacent has a win and six placings from 13 appearances, but connections believe he will be better placed in the South Island on a permanent basis. “He’ll be staying down there and…

Taranaki gelding Chajaba (NZ) (Keano) has a good association with the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m), and owner-trainer Tina Egan would dearly love to take out this year’s edition with her homebred. The eight-year-old son of Keano was runner-up in the New Plymouth feature two years ago behind winter supremo Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed_, while he finished fifth in last year’s running. “The Opunake Cup is definitely his main aim, he has had a second and a fifth in it, and it would be great to win it,” Egan said.…

Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma) has returned to Pam Gerard’s Matamata base after another successful southern campaign, and he’ll aim to continue that form closer to home at Te Rapa on Saturday. After winning the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1400m) earlier in his preparation at Wingatui, Harlech recorded his second consecutive runner-up finish in the Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m), despite the unfavourable track conditions. With minimal options left in the South Island, the son of Darci Brahma headed home and has impressed Gerard since, enough so to press on through the…

After a couple of encouraging runs on the flat, premier jumper Lord Spencer (NZ) (Zed) will be back to doing what he does best on Saturday. The son of Zed will line up in the Jones Trucking Hurdle (2800m) at Te Rapa with Lemmy Douglas to continue his association with the seven-year-old. They will return to the scene of their greatest triumph, having memorably combined to lift last season’s Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) title. Lord Spencer was then sent for a deserved break and resumed last month when third over…

Racing HQ with Steve Hewlett Kovalica hasn’t won since the Qld Derby, however, he has been racing the elite since. Owner Neville Morgan says the guaranteed speed in the Doomben Cup should see him be competitive. CLICK TO PLAY AUDIO

A shortage of senior riders at Te Rapa has Danica Guy on the road this weekend, taking an in-form team of three to New Plymouth’s Saturday meeting. The first of her hopes is Wild West (NZ) (Atlante), an eight-year-old son of Atlante who brought his best to the track last start, powering over the top of his rivals to score in Rating 65 grade. Guy had hoped to return to the venue of that victory on Saturday, but without a suitable rider, she’ll venture further afield with the choice of…

Talented sprinter Lhasa (Hellbent) was at the peak of his powers on the Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday, schooling his rivals despite a hefty weight impost.  The five-year-old recorded his first four victories on the surface, but proved he was much more than a one trick pony when defeating a class field of open gallopers on the turf at Trentham in early March. He continued solid form through his next couple of starts, but looked a major threat back on the synthetic, starting a $2.60 favourite ahead of Ultimate Focus ($4). …

It’s a full circle moment for Group One performer Express Yourself (NZ) (Shamexpress) this week, with the daughter of Shamexpress being offered once again on Gavelhouse.com. The now six-year-old mare was initially purchased off the online platform by trainer Nikki Hurdle as a tried three-year-old, after having two starts as a juvenile. Hurdle had been taken by the filly when watching her in several trials and was delighted to secure her with a final bid of $6,550 and quickly syndicated her amongst a group of friends. “She was a horse…

Wingatui trainer Terry Kennedy will have plenty of firepower at his home meeting on Friday, where he will be represented by nine runners, headlined by Nobellem (NZ) (Belardo) in the Positive Signs + Print Rating 75 (1200m). The daughter of Belardo has been in pleasing form for Kennedy, who races her in partnership with his wife Debbie, having placed in her last two starts over 1200m. She has been freshened since her last-start runner-up effort at Wingatui in March, and Kennedy is hopeful of a bold showing from barrier nine.…