Month: July 2023

Having rediscovered that winning feeling, classy gelding Benaud (Reliable Man) will attempt to build on his newfound confidence with a maiden stakes success in the Listed Grafton Cup. The four-year-old has been a wonderful money-spinner for connections, placing in the Gloaming Stakes and Gr.1 ATC Australian Derby at three, and racing competitively against the ilk of Anamoe (Street Boss) and I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) in the spring. But until this month, Benaud’s lone victory had been on debut at Nowra in 2021, prompting trainer John O’Shea to ponder if the…

Local trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman went home happy men from Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday after scoring four wins and reclaiming the lead for the South Island Trainers’ Premiership. The father-and-son team kicked the day off well with Russian Rosette (NZ) (Russian Revolution), who made it back-to-back wins in the Grand National Tickets On Sale Now MAAT (1200m). “She did it pretty comfortably again. A special conditions maiden, I thought it was a race that was hers for the taking and she proved that sentiment,” Matthew Pitman said. “She…

Leading stallion Per Incanto will serve a limited book of mares at best in the 2023 breeding season after suffering a leg injury in a paddock accident. The long-term outlook for the Little Avondale Stud resident is good and should he recover in time, he will be restricted to covering shareholder mares only later this year. Farm principal Sam Williams has emphasised the stallion’s well-being was paramount and no shortcuts would be taken in his recuperation following Saturday’s mishap. “He’s at the Hamilton vet clinic and will remain there until…

One of the most anticipated match-ups in New Zealand racing will occur at Trentham on Saturday when top jumpers The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) and West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) clash in the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (5500m). The Cossack has carried the mantle of Champion New Zealand Jumper over the last couple of seasons, however, West Coast has quickly risen through the ranks and is ready to try and usurp his older competitor. West Coast has been a revelation over the fences, winning four and placing in two of…

Shaun Phelan is hoping an extended stay at Ruakaka will be further rewarded at Saturday’s Whangarei meeting where he has a number of strong contenders. In particular, the Cambridge trainer will mount a three-strong attack on the ITM/GIB Winter Championship Final (2100m) with Hit The Road Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry), his younger sister Enchanted Elle (NZ) and Pacheco (NZ) (Makfi). “I came up here a couple of weeks ago with a team of 12 and it’s been really good for them,” Phelan said. “It still rains but it gets them out…