Month: January 2024

The pathway back to the races for sprinting star Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) is right on track according to assistant trainer Ben Gleeson. Ahead of targeting the Gr.1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) to kick off this autumn, the champion galloper had a spin around Mornington on Wednesday in a jumpout, after an exhibition gallop at Cranbourne a few days earlier. “We planned this about a month ago to get her here,” Gleeson said after Imperatriz finished a close second in the 900-metre heat. “Just a trip away from home, she’s…

While Te Akau prepares a four-pronged attack for the upcoming TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) on Saturday, another promising juvenile out of the Matamata stable impressed in his maiden victory on Wednesday. A son of Snitzel, Unbridled Joy was beaten on debut only by stablemate and Karaka Millions accepter When Stars Align, and started a firm $1.90 favourite to go one better in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1200m). The striking juvenile jumped boldly from barrier four but was eased by jockey Vinnie Colgan back to third-last, as debutant Osteria…

Melbourne Cup-winning hoop Mark Zahra will make his New Zealand riding debut when joining a starry line-up of Australian jockeys attending the TAB Karaka Millions meeting on Saturday at Ellerslie. Zahra has been a strong presence in the Melbourne jockey room for several years and shone in the most recent editions of the iconic 3200m Flemington feature aboard on Gold Trip (2022) and Without A Fight (2023). With fellow Australian-based riders Blake Shinn, James McDonald and Robbie Dolan making the trip across the Tasman for the rich meeting, Zahra accepted…

Timaru trainer Stephanie Faulkner will head north to Riccarton on Saturday where she will line-up a quartet of runners on the nine-race card. Heading her charge will be Green Luck (Street Cry), who will make his raceday return following a 10-month absence, in the Listed Speight’s Timaru Stakes (1400m). The former Hong Kong galloper sustained an injury following his third placing at the Christchurch track last March and Faulkner said it has been a long road to recovery for the now nine-year-old. “He sustained a ligament injury back in March…

Group One winner La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) will make her return to racing this Saturday on New Zealand racing’s biggest stage, the TAB Karaka Millions twilight meeting. The five-year-old mare’s spring preparation was cut short due to foot issues following her third placing in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) behind Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) in October, and trainers Katrina and Simon Alexander are pleased to have her back in top order ahead of her resuming run in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m). The daughter of Vadamos readied for her first hit-out…

Mongolian Falcon recorded his first stakes win as a sire last Saturday and it couldn’t have come at a better time for Vicki Wilson, who stands the son of Fastnet Rock at her Hawke’s Bay property. The Kelvin Tyler-trained Aberlour (NZ) (Mongolian Falcon) got on the stakes board when taking out the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m), just in time to give her sire a pedigree update ahead of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales next week. Wilson will head to Karaka for the first time to offer a select draft…

Excitement is mounting at Windsor Park Stud, not only for the imminent fall of the hammer to open New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka, but also for the future of the breeding and racing industries. Major developments including increases in stakes money have been warmly welcomed by all participants and most recently the announcement from the TAB, Entain and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing of The NZB Kiwi (1500m). The New Zealand Bloodstock-sponsored three-year-old feature will offer a purse of at least $3.5 million in 2025, increasing to $4.5…