Promising filly Sacred Option (NZ) (Sacred Falls) may have booked a place in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa next month after she produced a whirlwind finish to claim her second career victory at Awapuni on Saturday. The daughter of Sacred Falls looked likely to run an eye-catching second in the three-year-old 1200m contest when spotting pacemaker Hold The Press (Press Statement) several lengths with 200m to run, but emerged late to nab the tiring leader in the concluding stages. The victory was the first of a…
Month: April 2021
Henderson has high hopes for Atullibigeal
Although he playfully describes the talented two-year-old with the hard to pronounce name as “a bit of a clown”, trainer Carl Henderson knows he has some serious horsepower on his hands with impressive Ellerslie winner, Atullibigeal (Street Boss). The rangy son of Street Boss provided a glimpse of the sort of motor he has when defeating well regarded individuals Marchand (NZ) (Burgundy) and Lebanese Trader (Shalaa) with a degree of arrogance as he led all-the-way over 1300m on Saturday. Taken straight to the front by rider Andrew Calder, Atullibigeal looked…
Richards finishes strongly after slow start
Despite an eventful start to his day where his first runner at Awapuni was late scratched following an incident at the barrier, trainer Jamie Richards more than made up for that upset as he produced his fifth Group One quinella of the season. Along with On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) and I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) finishing one-two in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), Richards also watched progressive gallopers Mai Tai (NZ) (Atlante) and Markus Aurelius (NZ) (Ghibellines) register authoritative victories at Ellerslie as the…
Little Avondale announce 2021 service fees
Little Avondale have announced the 2021 service fees for their trio of stallions, Per Incanto, Time Test and Nadeem. The 2020/21 season has been a record-breaking one for Per Incanto in New Zealand’s three major international markets and he headlines the stud’s roster at $25,000 + GST with a live foal guarantee for the forthcoming breeding season. The proven son of Street Cry leads both the Hong Kong and Singapore leading sires’ tables by individual winners is and has a healthy winners to runners ratio of 61.9 percent in Australia.…
Go Marg finally hitting her straps
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk It may have taken Go Marg 23 starts to break maiden ranks, but now breeder-owner-trainer Bruce Graham is hoping she is on a roll. The eight-year-old mare got up for her first win at Waimate last Sunday, winning her 2000m contest by half a length. It was the first time Graham’s colours were back in the winner’s circle since 2016 and he was duly delighted. “It was quite a thrill,” he said. “It’s been a while since we had a winner. I think the…
Cullen stars as Self Assured takes Easter Cup
By Jonny Turner Self Assured gave punters the smoothest of rides when confirming his status as New Zealand’s best pacer when speeding to victory in the Easter Cup at Addington on Saturday night. In a repeat of this season’s New Zealand Cup finish the five-year-old filled the quinella with Spankem to set up a Hayden Cullen trained trifecta in the Group 1 3200m feature. The comfortable watch for Self Assured’s backers came after he found the lead for driver Mark Purdon in the middle stages and then outsprinted his rivals…
Whisper’s performance has Addington talking
By Jonny Turner Chinese Whisper bucked an Addington trend when announcing himself as an open class force on a big night for Nathan Williamson’s trotters at Addington on Saturday. Sprint races from the much talked about mile starting point at the Christchurch track are supposed to be won by horses that draw handily and race on the speed. But Chinese Whisper did neither when flying home from four-deep on the pegs for a stylish win in his first start north of the Waitaki. And its clear that brilliant speed…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 04 April 2021
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McDonald’s initiative helps Ambition to victory
Shared Ambition wins the Neville Sellwood Stakes at Rosehill. Photo: Steve Hart A decisive ride by James Mcdonald has helped to deliver Shared Ambition his second black-type victory after he took up an uncustomary leadership role to win the Neville Sellwood Stakes at Rosehill. Tulloch Lodge galloper Entente was expected to make the running but from a wide draw, McDonald opted to sool Shared Ambition (+340) to the front. The Chris Waller-trained five-year-old relished the challenge, proving too slick for the chasers to beat Entente (+360) by 1-3/4 lengths with…
Local runner takes out Riverton Cup
Trainers Kelvin and Aimee Tyler enjoyed a red-letter day on their home track at Riverton on Saturday, winning three races including the day’s feature, the Listed Carriers Arms Hotel Riverton Cup (2147m), with Our Boy Ritchie (NZ) (He’s Remarkable). The father and daughter partnership kicked their day off by producing impressive two-year-old debutant Classic Diva (NZ) (Proisir) to win comfortably over 1100m before consistent mare Rosie Glow (NZ) (Shocking) collected her fifth career victory, courtesy of a daring ride by apprentice Rohan Mudhoo. However, it was the run of Our…