Month: January 2021

Emily joins Beyond The Barrier’s Nicky Wallace and Gina Schick at their Dunstan Ex-Factor competition at Equifest and gets a ride on a multiple Group One winner.

Emily joins veterinarian Dr Doug Black on his afternoon rounds to learn more about his background and life as a vet.

Emily gets a tour of the Dunstan Horsefeeds factory in Hamilton and gets to know founder/director David Smith.

Trainer Ken Rae knew he had just the sort of filly he likes dealing with when he picked her up on the float on the way home from a trip away. The Super Easy weanling had been purchased by Rae for owner Sue Martin off the gavelhouse.com site and needed to be collected from Mark and Denny Baker’s Hallmark Stud. Rae was bringing home experienced gallopers Kaharau (Ad Valorem) and Blanco Bay (NZ) (Cape Blanco) and was taken with how the filly handled herself throughout the process. “Sue had asked…

Former top jockey Kate Hercock hasn’t set herself any specific goals as she begins the second phase of her race-riding career off the back of a more than five-year absence from the raceday saddle. The accomplished horsewoman made her return to the jockey ranks in the Central districts recently and, after some initial nerves, has begun to thrive in the competitive environment. Hercock commenced her career in the 1994/95 season but took a break after the first two years of her apprenticeship before returning in 2002/03.   Success came the…

Co-trainer Dawn Williams was in a philosophical mood when assessing the performance of promising three-year-old Il Affare (NZ) (Dundeel), who overcame a troubled passage to finish third in the Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. The Dundeel filly got well back in the early stages of the race and was then held up at a vital stage in the run home, before flashing home out wide to claim her minor placing. While she holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham in a…

Trainer Jamie Richards had plenty of firepower in racing action on the track at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, but also took the time to stretch the legs of some of his team members being set for upcoming major assignments. Dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), exciting three-year-old Need I Say More (No Nay Never) and Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) prospect Supreme Khan (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) each had a day out in preparation for their respective goals over the next few weeks. Need I Say…