Pre-post favourite Affirmative Action will have to overcome a wide gate and a lighter than intended preparation in his shared bid to defend the stable’s title in Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). Trainer Pam Gerard prepared Savaglee to romp home in last season’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-sponsored Classic at Riccarton and will be double-handed in her attempt to go back-to-back in the age group feature. While Affirmative Action boasts the higher profile, barnmate Romanoff has also come into serious contention following two sound lead-up efforts. Their southern flight…
Category: Gallops
Tajana primed to take on the boys at Riccarton
Shaune Ritchie hopes his decision to bypass the fillies’ feature at Riccarton with Tajana will pay off on Saturday when she takes on the boys in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). The daughter of Darci Brahma has been one of the best in her age group this spring, winning the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m) before finishing third in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) to Well Written. While the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) had been on Ritchie’s…
Mystic Park heads local quinella in TAB Mile
Riccarton galloper Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) prevailed in a thrilling tussle between the locals in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) on his home track on Wednesday. The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained gelding had been on an upward trajectory this preparation without winning and had the services of Victorian-based Kiwi-expat jockey Daniel Stackhouse, closing a $6.10 hope behind northern visitors Cannon Hill and Archaic Smile. Jumping from barrier six, Mystic Park was a stride slow from the gates and found himself three-wide in the trail of another fancied runner in…
Top two lots follow proven ‘Ka Ying’ path
Colts by proven New Zealand stallions Per Incanto and Satono Aladdin provided the highlights on Day One of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale with the top two lots set to join the Lindsay Park operation of the Hayes family. The father and son combination of David and JD Hayes oversaw proceedings at Karaka as Mainland Chinese owner Mr Sanxiong Gao signed the docket for Lot 105, a Satono Aladdin colt out of Shezdelicious for $675,000 from the draft of Riversley Park. Lot 105, a colt by Satono…
NZ Cup Week double for Sunset Boulevard
Stakes targets are in the offing for promising gelding Sunset Boulevard (NZ) (Eminent) after he secured a winning double at Riccarton Park during New Zealand Cup Week. The Sir Peter Vela-bred and raced five-year-old won over 2000m on the opening day of the carnival and backed up on Wednesday where he jumped an even money favourite in the Wuhan Jockey Club Premier (2000m). In the hands of in-form local hoop Tina Comignaghi, Sunset Boulevard was pushed forward early and settled in the coveted one-one position. Turning for home he was…
Well-bred galloper weaves his Magic
In the shades of his talented dam, Kiwi Magic (NZ) (Shocking) announced himself as a three-year-old to follow this term with an impressive victory in the Halls Cold Chain Logistics Three-Year-Old Premier (1400m) at Riccarton on Wednesday. The Christchurch venue was a happy hunting ground for the gelding’s mother Kiwi Ida, who carried the colours of owner-trainers John and Karen Parsons to success on 14 occasions including a Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m), Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders Stakes (1400m), Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) and Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m). Her mating…
I Am Belle scores on debut at Riccarton
Northern targets await promising juvenile I Am Belle (NZ) (I Am Invincible) following her debut victory in the Elmwood Trading Co. Two-Year-Old Premier (1000m) at Riccarton on Wednesday. The daughter of I Am Invincible jumped away well under Central Districts hoop Bruno Queiroz and raced three-wide throughout. Race favourite Zaharias looked the obvious danger at the top of the straight, but I Am Belle showed her grit to get her nose in front at the 200m and maintained her advantage, running out a half neck victor. I Am Belle placed…
Homebred Harry brings big result
Manawatu dairy farmers Mark and Tania Stratford had a result to savour on the opening day of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale when their homebred colt by Harry Angel out of Ocean Spray fetched $425,000 to the bid of Hong Kong trainer Mark Newnham and Sweetbriar Equine. The attractive bay was sold from the draft of Curraghmore and after breezing in an easy 10.75, drew plenty of interest. The Stratfords purchased Fastnet Rock mare Ocean Spray for just $4,250 and after seeking the advice of Regan Donnison,…
Sibling Rivalry scores maiden win at Te Aroha
A bright future is being tipped for Sibling Rivalry (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) after she broke through for her maiden win in the Harcourts Monarch (1150m) at Te Aroha on Tuesday. The three-year-old daughter of Satono Aladdin was fair away, but jockey Craig Grylls got busy on her early, driving her forward to sit outside leader Van Damme. Van Damme set a good tempo up front, with Sibling Rivalry keeping him company throughout, and turning for home the pair had opened up a good margin on their rivals and looked fully…
Spring Stars Boost NZB Ready to Run Sale Pedigrees
The results of showpiece races throughout the spring have delivered notable pedigree updates to the catalogue for this week’s NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka. The highest-profile pedigree update belongs to Lot 248, who can now be described as a half-brother to a Group One winner during the 2025 Melbourne Spring Carnival. Offered by breeder Barry Donoghue’s BMD Bloodstock, the Ace High colt is a half-brother to Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit), who triumphed in the A$1m Group One Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 11. It…