New Zealand-bred gelding Lucky Missile scored his first Hong Kong win when successful in the Class 4 Tsoi Tak Handicap (1650m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Trainer David Hall credits a gear change with the win and is confident the son of Rock ‘n’ Pop will improve from the run. “Lucky Missile is still a three-year-old, he’s still sort of learning his way and getting his confidence so I think he can progress and get a couple of more wins,” Hall said. “The side-winkers made a bit of a…
Month: July 2020
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 12 July 2020
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Harlech arrives in Melbourne for spring
Trainer Mike Moroney’s Melbourne team for the spring has been bolstered by the arrival of Group Two winner Harlech from New Zealand. Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma) arrived on Wednesday morning, along with stakes-placed rising three-year-old Snapper, to continue preparations at Moroney’s Flemington stables towards their Australian spring campaigns. Harlech registered two wins and five placings from nine starts in New Zealand with his biggest win so far a Group Two for three-year-olds over 1400m last October before finishing second to Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma) in the Group One NZ 2000 Guineas. The…
Oceanex starts build-up to Melbourne Cup
Having locked away a start, Oceanex (NZ) (Ocean Park) has commenced a long, slow build-up towards the Melbourne Cup. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained mare won her way into the Melbourne Cup with victory in the Andrew Ramsden at Flemington in May. May’s race was the second staging of the Andrew Ramsden to offer a ballot free exemption into the Melbourne Cup. The first edition was won by Steel Prince who finished ninth in the Flemington showpiece. Following her win in the Andrew Ramsden, Oceanex was afforded a three-and-a-half…
Pitman double closes gap on North Island rivals
The Michael and Matthew Pitman training partnership provided one of the highlights at Riccarton on Saturday when they produced the trifecta in the sixth race on the card. Former North Island galloper Saber (NZ) (Swiss Ace) was back to his best as he led all the way in the 1000m dash for rider Tanya Jonker to defeat stablemates Confessional (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and Nellie Bly (NZ) (Iffraaj) and register his eighth career victory. The rising nine-year-old did his early racing from owner Graeme Rogerson’s Hamilton base where he was successful six times before…
Shoshone shines in Ellerslie victory
Talented three-year-old Shoshone (NZ) (Sacred Falls) was back to her best as she registered a comprehensive performance to win fresh-up over 1200m at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained filly had won impressively on debut at the venue just over a year ago but a series of niggling issues had limited her to only two further starts since then, both of which saw her fail to fulfil the potential seen in her first victory. A strong performance for third over 900m at the Te Rapa trials last month indicated…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 13 July 2020
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Sweet victory for impressive maiden winner
An impressive victory over 900m at the Ellerslie trials last month indicated Sweet Molly Malone (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) was a strong winning chance at the venue on Saturday and so it proved as she dashed away in the home straight to register a comfortable two and a quarter length victory in a maiden 1200m contest. The performance was made even more memorable given the Rip Van Winkle three-year-old was forced to sit three-wide outside the pace throughout but still found plenty in reserve to put paid to her rivals in…
3YO target for Lord Bouzeron
Kiwi import Lord Bouzeron (NZ) (Burgundy) made a successful introduction to Australian racing with a dominant victory against his own age on rain-affected going at Caulfield on Saturday and is likely to be back at the same venue in a fortnight. Having his first Australian start and first for Cranbourne-based trainer Francis Finnegan, after registering three wins for his sister in-law Chrissy Bambry from 13 appearances in New Zealand, Lord Bouzeron led throughout and scored a dominant 4-1/2 length victory in the Neds Handicap (2000m). “I did think he’d need…
Winter Cup tilt for Major Tom
Ruakaka trainer Kenny Rae was pleased to be back in the winner’s circle at Ellersliie on Saturday where he sent out a double. The Ruakaka horseman, who trains in partnership with his daughter Krystal Williams-Tuhoro, was delighted to see The Buffer (NZ) (Reliable Man) break maiden ranks, while hardy galloper Major Tom (NZ) (Red Giant) notched the ninth win of his career when successful in the Barfoot & Thompson (1600m). A trip south is now on the cards for Major Tom, who will likely target the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m)…