Regally-bred mare Manifique (NZ) (Savabeel) will get her chance to continue her family’s stakes legacy when she heads to Trentham on Saturday to tackle the Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m). The daughter of Champion New Zealand stallion Savabeel is out of four-time Group One winner Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar), and will be looking to emulate the deeds of her half siblings Sinarahma (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and House of Cartier (Alamosa) as black-type performers. Manifique has established a strong record to date, having won four of her 15 starts, including…
Year: 2023
Billy back on raceday
It’s been a tough couple of years for Group One-winning stayer Ocean Billy (NZ) (Ocean Park) and breeder-owner-trainer Bill Pomare, but the tide is turning and the son of Ocean Park is set to resume racing at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Rotorua pair were sent on a whirlwind trip following the now eight-year-old’s victory in the 2021 Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m), with Pomare setting his sights on fulfilling a lifelong dream and chasing Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) success. He subsequently entrusted Ocean Billy to the care of leading Sydney…
Betty Spaghetti to take aim at northern features
Betty Spaghetti’s (Stratum Star) impressive run of form during her spring preparation has connections focussing on northern targets for the four-year-old. The Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong-trained mare has been unbeaten in her last three appearances and will step out at Ashburton on Wednesday to warm up for sterner challenges. Betty Spaghetti has been freshened since her last victory and Samantha Wynne will be reunited with the daughter of Stratum Star when she makes her open grade debut in in the McCrea Painters and Decorators Trainers’ Challenge (1300m). “She is…
Beach Ball could have the advantage
By Jonny Turner After his scintillating Group Three victory on Grand Prix Day, it is clearly an advantage for Beach Ball heading into the Group One Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup. The pacer heads south for trainer Brendon Hill and driver Ricky May after running away from his rivals to win the Summer Cup Free-For-All, crucially beating his main Invercargill Cup rival in Self Assured. Self Assured now faces the big task of turning around that defeat, which came off level marks from behind the mobile, while giving Beach Ball…
Positive reports for Millwood Nike
The racing career of unbeaten pacing superstar Millwood Nike could be saved. Monday was D-Day for the three-year-old glamour filly who was pulled out of the New Zealand Oaks as the $1.20 favourite two weeks ago after showing signs of lameness. That was soon diagnosed as a small tear in a front leg tendon which was re-scanned yesterday and had it worsened Millwood Nike would have been retired to stud. “We got a positive report,” said co-trainer Mark Purdon. “The damage in the tendon hasn’t gotten any worse and our…
Leap To Fame could tackle Race by Grins
By Adam Hamilton It was long believed Leap To Fame would tackle Perth’s slot race – the Nullarbor – around the same, but owner Kevin Seymour ruled that out today. “He won’t be going to Perth, but we’re looking seriously at NZ,” he said. “We think it’ll be an easier trip and a more suitable race. If he goes to a slot race, it will be Cambridge.” Leap To Fame stamped his greatness with a dominant Brisbane Inter Dominion final win in front a roaring and adoring Albion Park home…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 18 December 2023
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Tabcorp secures landmark wagering licence in Victoria
(Photo: LinkedIn) Tabcorp Holdings Limited (Tabcorp) has achieved an accomplishment by obtaining the retail wagering and betting license from the Victorian Government. This license, which will be effective, from August 2024 for a period of 20 years signifies a important phase for Tabcorp and Victorian thoroughbred racing. It brings about a framework that strengthens its position in Victoria. The new license includes changes such as the termination of the venture with the Victorian Racing Industry (VRI) and the discontinuation of industry funding obligations. These changes create a level playing field…
Stakes targets on Riveria Rock’s radar
Riviera Rock has been runner-up in the last two editions of the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) and trainer Graham Eade would like to breakthrough for that elusive victory at Wingatui in February. The Riverton trainer has earmarked the February 2 assignment and believes they are on target for the race following the gelding’s half-length victory in the Tim Yeo Contracting Southland Crystals (2200m) at Ascot Park on Saturday. The nine-year-old gelding jumped well from barrier eight for jockey Brandon May, who took his charge straight to the front and…
Wyatt looking for hometown success
Emma Wyatt has made her presence known in the South Island training ranks this season, and the multi-talented horsewoman hopes to add another victory to her growing tally at Ashburton on Wednesday. A successful show jumping competitor in the South Island, competing up to Grand Prix level, Wyatt’s journey into racing began when she attended Polytechnic in Christchurch, picking up a job working for Neill Ridley before a brief stint as an apprentice jockey for Ross Beckett. “I’ve show jumped through my whole life, and when I went to Polytech…