Month: September 2023

Last-start Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) winner Skew Wiff has contested her last race in New Zealand for the foreseeable future, with co-trainer Mark Walker confirming the mare will head to Te Akau’s Cranbourne base early next month. The classy four-year-old beat a star-studded line-up that included the likes of Sharp ‘N’ Smart and Legarto to take her first Group One crown at Hastings on September 9, and appeared between races at Matamata for a quiet exhibition gallop on Wednesday. Guided by regular rider Opie Bosson, Skew Wiff worked at a…

One-time Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) favourite Orchestral has been ruled out of the southern Classic. The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained filly had two starts as a juvenile, for a win and placing, and was second favourite when resuming in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings earlier this month. She was a $6 favourite for the 1000 Guineas at the jump, but disappointed when running 10th, forcing her connections to reassess her spring plans and send her to the paddock. “We were scratching our…

After a couple of false starts, Group One winner Prowess had her first public hit-out the season in an exhibition gallop alongside stablemate Contemplation at Matamata on Wednesday. An abscess ruled her out of her first-up target, the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) earlier this month, while a stone bruise resulted in her withdrawal from her trial at Taupo last Friday. “She banged a hock a bit over a month ago,” said Robert Wellwood, who trains in partnership with Roger James. “It was treated aggressively as well as we could, but…

Impressive debut winner Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) has been the subject of major buyer interest but will continue his career in New Zealand this season. The connections of the Danica Guy-trained son of Satono Aladdin have so far knocked back any attempts to purchase the gelding, who will step out in Saturday’s Ultimate Mazda 3YO (1300m) at Tauranga. “The owners have fielded some huge offers, but at this stage they have resisted selling him,” Guy said. “They are keen to race him here at three and then if he’s…

Westbury Stud stallion Ferrando had his first trial winner at Cambridge on Tuesday courtesy of Grove Street (NZ) in his 800m heat, and co-trainer Graeme Rogerson is hoping the colt can take his winning form into his debut at Tauranga on Saturday. Bred and part-owned by Rogerson, Grove Street will contest the Gartshore Construction Maiden 2YO (950m) where he will be joined by stablemates Ka Pai Kiwi (NZ) (Better Than Ready), Elegant Jazz (NZ) (Russian Revolution), and Skymax (NZ), a daughter of Ferrnado. “Ferrando had his first trial winner, so…