Year: 2020

This Sunday at Sha Tin, trainer David Hayes will unveil smart four-year-old Conqueror (Fastnet Rock), who is looking to lay out his BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) credentials in the Class 2 Bellflower Handicap (1400m). The Fastnet Rock gelding was runner-up to subsequent two-time Group One winner Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Listed Karaka Million Three-Year-Old Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie Racecourse in New Zealand, with that horse subsequently winning two Group Ones, the Surround Stakes (1400m) and Epsom Handicap (1600m) among her next eight starts, which included a Gr.1 W.S…

Punters are hoping to get off to a strong start at Te Rapa on Saturday, with unbeaten four-year-old Elephant all the rage in the first event on the card, the Lodge Property Management 1400. The son of Shocking has won his two starts to date for Emma-Lee and David Browne and has firmed from $2.10 into $1.80 favourite to maintain his unbeaten run. “He’s still learning, and it is a jump up in class,” Emma-Lee Browne said. “I don’t think 1400m will be his best distance and he will be…

Samantha Collett enjoyed a day out at Otaki, riding four winners on the card. Three-year-old filly Cadeau cruised to victory for Collett for trainer Cody Cole, before the jockey followed up with wins aboard Passione, Smart Remark and the impressive Lady Rudolph. The Robbie Patterson-trained Lady Rudolph scored in emphatic fashion over 1400m and the six-year-old mare, who has been plagued by issues, will now be tried over ground.

Tavistock four-year-old Wononeohwon looks to have a bright future, making it back-to-back wins when coming from a near impossible position to land the Devan Plastics (1400m) at Otaki on Friday under a cool Lisa Allpress ride. Prepared by local trainers Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard, Wononeohwon had previously won over 1400m at the same venue and relished the strong tempo in the race to score in the colours of Jen Campin Bloodstock. “I love the way Lisa rode him patiently as going forward he will be better over further,” Benner…

Andrew Bensley talks to trainer Emma-Lee Browne who lines up the unbeaten Elephant at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Four-year-old mare Catwalk Girl is cherry ripe ahead of the Foster Construction Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday according to trainer Pam Gerard, who prepares the progressive galloper in partnership with Michael Moroney. An impressive last-start winner at Te Rapa, TAB bookmakers have installed Catwalk Girl a $4.20 favourite as she looks to handle the step up to Benchmark 65 grade before loftier targets can be considered. The daughter of Per Incanto has been a work in progress but is now settling better and Gerard believes she can comfortably…

He may be in the eighth season of his remarkable career, but veteran gelding Gallant Boy (NZ) (Gallant Guru) is showing no sign of slowing down. Following a first-up victory at Wingatui and a last-start second placing at Cromwell, the 10-year-old son of Gallant Guru will line up as a leading contender for Sunday’s Dynes Transport Tapanui Cup (1335m) at Gore. The winner of 14 of his 70 starts and more than $350,000 in stakes, Gallant Boy’s achievements tower over his rivals and have earned him the clear 62kg topweight…