Category: Gallops

Allan Sharrock has won two of the last four editions of the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m), and the New Plymouth trainer believes Saturday’s Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa could put Lazio (NZ) (Per Incanto) on target to add to that record. Sharrock saddled Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) to win the midwinter feature on his home track in 2021 and again in 2023. The 2021 edition produced a Sharrock quinella, with the runner-up position filled by London Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) – the dam of last week’s…

Versatile performer Pacifico (NZ) (Ardrossan) has hit a rich vein of form and another top showing on Saturday will earn him a crack at a richer winter prize. The son of Ardrossan will shoot for his fourth win on the bounce in the UBP Te Awamutu Cup (1600m) at Te Rapa with a return in the mix later this month for The Callinan Family Taumarunui Cup (2200m). Trainer Andrew Forsman can’t fault the four-year-old and will also be chasing success across the Tasman with Prochester (NZ) (Proisir) in the Mahogany…

Robbie Patterson could have as many as five runners taking on this year’s Listed Sinclair Electrical & Refrigeration Opunake Cup (1400m), including an in-form Belles Beau, who will make his final appearance before the feature at Otaki on Saturday. A four-year-old by Iffraaj, Belles Beau proved he was up to open class when defeating stakes winner Bradman at Wanganui last start, and with Belardo Boy in the mix, he’ll have the luxury of a 54kg impost in the New World Otaki Handicap (1400m). “It’s been three weeks, so we’ve got…

The need for Cambridge Stud to control the size of their star-studded broodmare band has opened up some special opportunities in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus. Cambridge Stud is offering six well-credentialled mares – Critical Angel (NZ) (O’Reilly), Friwi (Almanzor), Runway Queen (Star Witness), Stellar Maccartney (NZ) Tavistock), Western Belle (Domesday) and Ziffel (NZ) (Zabeel). They are all being offered in foal to Cambridge Stud stallions. “We’re very fortunate that Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s significant investment in yearling sales and their own breeding programme leads…

The inclement weather didn’t dampen Robyn Ayton’s spirits at Ashburton on Thursday, with the local trainer posting her first double courtesy of Lady Bankside (NZ) (Belardo) and Tellme You Loveme (NZ) (Tavistock). “That was my first double, so it was nice to do it on the home track, it was fantastic,” Ayton said. “They have both been working well, they look great and have done nothing wrong, so I was hopeful heading into today.” Ayton was particularly hopeful about the chances of Lady Bankside in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series…

New Zealand Champion jockey Opie Bosson’s hunger for riding has returned, and he has announced he will make a comeback to the saddle in the new season. The revered hoop announced his retirement last December, admitting he was a spent force, but his passion for the sport has been reignited following a six-month break and he is excited to return to the competitive amphitheatre of the track next month. “It has been at the back of my mind for a little while now,” Bosson said. “I have still been riding…

Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan’s star hurdler Berry The Cash (NZ) (Jakkalberry) will commence his bid to defend his Hospitality NZ Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m) crown when he competes on the flat at Otaki on Saturday. The eight-year-old gelding will have his first race since his two-run Australian campaign in autumn, which netted a pair of fourth placings in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) and Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m). “They were reasonable runs (in Australia), but it was a learning curve, and I think if we went back again we would…

A fresh Waihaha Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls) will be looking to bounce back to form when he heads north to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m) first-up. Initially trained in Sydney by John O’Shea, the Sacred Falls gelding won five and placed in five of his 22 starts across the Tasman, including placing in the Gr.3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) and two editions of the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m). He returned to New Zealand last year to the care of Guy Lowry,…

Well-performed sprinter Mercurial (NZ) (Burgundy) has progressed well since his resuming effort and with the addition of headgear at Te Rapa, he’s expected to be more of a force to be reckoned with. The son of Burgundy will step out in the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m) on Saturday with promising apprentice Jack Taplin to retain the ride. Mercurial only beat one runner home when he returned to action on the course three weeks ago following a five-month break, but trainer Stephen Marsh was satisfied with the six-year-old’s effort.…

Lisa Kennedy has always had a passion for thoroughbreds, and her efforts in guiding retired racehorses into new careers through EventStars were celebrated at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards last Sunday as the winner of the Care and Welfare Excellence Award. As lead re-trainer, Kennedy works alongside EventStars’ founder Gina Schick to rehome approximately 300 retired thoroughbreds into sporthorse homes on a yearly basis, and her recognition was a timely tonic for the organisation. “It’s been an emotional time here recently, so it meant a lot to the team,” Kennedy said.…