Month: May 2023

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER

A significant decision has been reached regarding the establishment of a new racing Club, named Waikato Thoroughbred Racing (WTR), following the official merger approval between Waikato Racing Club, Cambridge Jockey Club, and Waipa Racing Club. The amalgamation was endorsed by the Board and members of all three Clubs during their respective Special General Meetings (SGMs), with the intention of bringing extensive benefits to the racing region of the Waikato. The merger will take effect on August 1 2023. The overwhelming majority of members present at the three SGM’s voted in…

Highview Stud’s new recruit Santos sired a double on Sunday which took his tally of Individual first-crop winners to four, headed by Group One winner Ulanova. Santos gelding Sandual won the bet365 Maiden Plate (1400m) at Horsham in emphatic fashion for Stawell trainer Andrew Bobbin, defeating his stablemate Sisu by six and a half lengths. Sandual was purchased by his trainer for A$40,000 as a yearling. He is the first foal out of the unplaced Dualist, herself a half-sister to Group One placegetter Fundamentalist. The stallion’s second winner of the…

Promising two-year-old Solidify emerged unscathed from the home straight interference that counted him out of the finish of Saturday’s Gr.2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). The stakes winning son of Redwood finished ninth in the Eagle Farm feature after he copped a buffeting 350m from home. Co-trainer Graeme Rogerson has taken a glass half full approach and thankful Solidify came through the race well and is looking forward to a rematch in the Gr.1 JJ Atkins (1600m) on Saturday week. “I think he is the making of something really special,…

Rookie trainer Nayton Mitchell is still riding the highs of a dream start to his training career. West Melton-based Mitchell, 22, produced Gavelhouse.com purchase Authority to win at his first start from his new quarters at Wingatui last Friday, the Sweynesse five-year-old securing his maiden win at his 13th start but providing his trainer with a landmark first win from his first runner to the races. “It was so good. It was a great feeling. We never expected to get that straight away but he’s a super horse,” Mitchell said.…

Youth and experience successfully combined at Pukekohe Park where apprentice Joe Nishizuka posted the first win of his fledgeling career. The 20-year-old had placed in three of his previous 16 race day rides and it was veteran galloper No Loitering who provided him with his breakthrough victory in Saturday’s JRA Trophy Handicap (1500m). Nishizuka enjoys a close association with the 10-year-old as he is apprenticed to the gelding’s Te Aroha-based trainer and part-owner Iain Marks. “It was great to win on him as I ride him every day. He’s nice…

New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale graduate San Andreas (Smart Missile) landed the biggest win of his career with an impressive come-from-behind performance in Sunday’s RM150,000 Equine Sanctuary Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) at Selangor. San Andreas was offered by Kilgravin Lodge at the 2018 Ready to Run Sale, where he was purchased for $90,000 by Alrashid Group. His 23-start career has now produced eight wins and four second placings, earning more than RM230,000 in prize-money. Sunday’s Tunku Gold Cup was the six-year-old’s first win at black-type level, and he earned it…