Entries for New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2021 National Yearling Sales Series are now open with the Sale set to take place next summer at the Karaka Sales Centre from Sunday 24 January until Friday 29 January. With an established reputation of producing world-class thoroughbreds, graduates of the National Yearling Sales Series have claimed 17 Group One races this season alone. From 1200 metres to 2400 metres, the alumni have exhibited their diverse power to dominate fields in New Zealand, Australia, and Hong Kong. A world-renowned buying bench descends upon Karaka every year to…
Month: July 2020
Diamondsandbubbles relishing Pakenham synthetic
Former Kiwi Diamondsandbubbles continued her strong form on the synthetic track at Pakenham on Friday, setting a new track record when successful over 2200m. The David Brideoake-trained daughter of Commands came with a well-timed run under in-form rider Billy Egan to defeat Mr Monaco. The five-year-old mare has now won three of her 10 starts for Brideoake, having commenced her career in the care of Moira Murdoch for whom she was a winner. “She is going super and it was good to get her back on the synthetic today,” assistant…
Keep It Real floors punters in racing return
Thoroughbred racing returned in New Zealand on Saturday following a COVID-19 induced hiatus of 84 days with an 11-race programme at Pukekohe Park. While punters were no doubt itching to get involved, few would have been smiling after race one, the Dunstan Return To Racing (800m), with four-year-old mare Keep It Real landing a last-stride victory at odds of $44.80 to deny the favourite Divine Dive by the barest of margins. Prepared locally by Pukekohe trainers Matthew Rogers and sons Matthew and Michael, Keep It Real was well-ridden by apprentice…
Ciao Italy, Kia Ora Pukekohe
Pukekohe is somewhat of a poor substitute for Italy at this time of year, but Byerley Park trainer Danny Walker was just happy to be back racing on Saturday. The South Auckland horseman was meant to be in the middle of a five-week holiday in the European tourist hotspot, but as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic those travel plans have been shelved. “I was supposed to be heading off to Italy for a holiday, but that isn’t happening. It’s a bit of a bugger, but Pukekohe was the substitute,”…
Magnanimous Man makes perfect start for new stable
Six-year-old gelding Magnanimous Man showed his staying prowess when taking out the Dunstan 100% NZ Owned (2100m) for new trainers Craig and Shaun Phelan at Pukekohe on Saturday. Previously the winner of three races for Shaune Ritchie, Magnanimous Man joined the Phelan stable with a view to enhancing his jumping career and potentially heading across the Tasman. The son of Nom du Jeu was assisted by Elen Nicholas’ four kilo claim as he ran down Arite Guru and Sweet Treat on a Heavy11 surface. “Shaune Ritchie and the GG Syndicate…
Hooter to kick off at Wanganui
It hasn’t been the smoothest road to racing for Redwood four-year-old Hooter (NZ), but Foxton trainer Matt Dixon believes his charge possesses the ability to make it all worthwhile. Dixon described Hooter, who makes his debut at Wanganui on Thursday, as quirky and revealed he had overcome a suspensory injury to get to the races. Hooter showed he was on track for his first raceday outing in the Whanganui Chronicle Maiden (1200m) when he won an 850m maiden trial at his home track earlier this month. “He’s pretty forward. He…
Tavistock filly flies home for Lindsay Park
The wet track was the only concern for Walking Flying’s connections at Sandown on Wednesday, but they needn’t have worried, with the filly running away to a one length victory in her mile contest. It was the Tavistock three-year-old’s second consecutive win after she was victorious at Sale a fortnight ago over 1728m. Ben Hayes, who trains the filly in partnership with his father David and cousin Tom Dabernig, said she could now head to Flemington next Saturday to tackle a 1600m assignment. “We will just see how she pulls…
Perfect start for Incheon Express
Curraghmore graduate Incheon Express began his racing career in style winning at Ballarat on Tuesday. The three-year-old debutant runs in the distinctive purple and yellow checks of breeder-owner Dr Tan. Like Group One winner Tofane, Incheon Express spent time with John Malcom at Cheltenham Stables for his early education. He then headed to David Greene at Te Rapa before transferring to current trainer John Sadler as a November two-year-old. Sadler was impressed with Incheon Express’ run and said everything went to plan for the son of Showcasing during his first…
Entries extended for Ready To Run sale
New Zealand Bloodstock have extended their entry cut-off date for the 2020 Ready To Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds till August 7. In the last six years, the Sale has produced an unrivalled 20 Group One wins and 132 Stakes wins with graduates excelling in New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Macau. The sale also continues to produce an outstanding record of Derby winners and classic types with graduates having won seven Derbys and 14 Guineas over the same period. Breeze Ups for the Sale are set to take…
Five for Belardo
Haunui Farm shuttler Belardo sired his fifth firrst-crop winner yesterday as Elysium took out the Irish EBF Auction Fillies Maiden (1100m ) at Navan. The Noel Meade-trained juvenile defeated Giselles Thunder by a length and three-quarters with Dense Star the same margin back in third. Purchased by her trainer for €15,000, Elysium is one of three winners out of Sonning Rose who herself is a half-sister to stakes placegetters Universo Star and Vienna’s Boy. Dual Group One winner Belardo is the only son of Lope De Vega at stud in…