Category: Gallops

Marotiri Molly’s rise to black-type prominence has been testament to not only her talent, but also the patience of Foxton trainer Matt Dixon. She required careful handling through the early stages of her career before rising through the grades and on Saturday will attempt to add the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) to her record. “She’s good to go and she’s not an overly big mare and it’s been pretty tough on her carrying big weights, so I’m looking forward to getting her back to a set…

Fresh off a victory over New Zealand Cup Week, Wingatui trainer Joseph Waldron is hoping to quickly add to that tally when he heads south to Ascot Park on Sunday with a couple of handy chances. Former northerner Sabrina Hall impressed when runner-up in her southern debut at her new home track earlier this month, and Waldron is confident she can go one better in the McGregor Concrete & Farmers Dipping (1400m) this weekend. Bred and raced by Windsor Park Stud, Sabrina Hall was initially in the care of Matamata…

David Hayes has sounded an ominous warning over Ka Ying Rising’s (NZ) (Shamexpress) form as the world’s best sprinter bids to extend his winning streak to 15-consecutive races in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Hayes believes Ka Ying Rising has improved since returning from a historic victory in the AU$20m G1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick in Sydney on October 18, as the five-time G1 victor prepares to share Sunday’s stage with fellow champions Romantic Warrior and Voyage…

David Hayes has sounded an ominous warning over Ka Ying Rising’s form as the world’s best sprinter bids to extend his winning streak to 15 consecutive races in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (23 November). Hayes believes Ka Ying Rising has improved since returning from a historic victory in the AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million) G1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick in Sydney, Australia on 18 October, as the five-time Group 1 victor prepares to share Sunday’s stage with…

This weekend could prove to be an exciting one for Matamata trainer Daniel Miller. The 28-year-old horseman will be lining up Tardis (NZ) (Time Test) in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe on Saturday for his parents, John and Maree, but he may not be trackside, with he and his partner Paige Weatherley expecting their first child. “My partner is due to have our first child any day now, so whether I actually make it to the races or not is yet to be decided,” he said. Miller…

Apprentice jockey Bailey Rogerson remains in the intensive care unit at Waikato Hospital but her condition has taken a significant turn for the better, having regained consciousness and is now breathing without assistance. The 24-year-old’s grandfather Graeme Rogerson reported early Thursday afternoon that an MRI scan on Wednesday was followed by a major overall improvement in her health. While still feeling the effects of her Rotorua race fall on Sunday, Rogerson has begun the long road to recovery. “She’s certainly turned the corner and although she has a long way…

Consistent mare Bedtime Story (NZ) (Per Incanto) could be in line for a tilt at elite-level if she performs up to expectations in the Manawatu ITM 1340 at Wanganui on Saturday. The five-year-old daughter of Per Incanto has hardly put a foot wrong so far in her 17-start career, and while she has placed in the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m) and Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m), a black-type victory remains elusive. She resumed this preparation in her customary fashion, running fourth in both of her starts this time in, including first-up…

Expectations for Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) will be kept in check when the outstanding mare resumes at Pukekohe on Saturday. The two-time top-flight winner will resume in the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) with underfoot conditions a major question mark. Opposing her will be talented stablemate Arabian Songbird (NZ) (Pierro), who has come through the grades in grand style. “Orchestral will probably run and definitely wants a better track, but we really need to get going and get her prep on the road,” said Robert Wellwood, who trains…

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…