Amber Sims considers her consistent stayer Coruba Jak (NZ) (Jakkalberry) as a part of the family, and a trip across the Tasman could be on the cards after the gelding’s hard-fought victory at Tauranga on Friday. The eight-year-old son of Jakkalberry made his presence known in the final stages of the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) last-start, finishing less than a length behind Dionysus in a three-way finish, and following a brief freshen over the Christmas period was set for a resuming run in the Open 2100m. In the hands of…
Month: January 2024
Waikouaiti Cup win for Capo Dell Impero
Topweight Capo Dell Impero (NZ) (Ghibellines) made light work of his 60kg impost when he gave his rivals weight and a beating in the feature race at Wingatui, the WAE Waikouaiti Cup (2200m). The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained son of the Anderton’s White Robe Lodge Stud-resident stallion Ghibellines went into the contest off the back of an encouraging run at Timaru where he made up plenty of ground to finish in midfield over 1600m. The step up to 2200m on Saturday played well into his hands as rider Corey Campbell…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 14 January 2024
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New challenge faces Alta Meteor in Nelson Classic
By Jonny Turner A different kind of challenge awaits Alta Meteor following his outstanding win in the Nelson Cup. The Stonewall Stud pacer shrugged off mid-race work as he outstayed his rivals in the 3000m on Friday for driver Tim Williams. Race conditions couldn’t be much more contrasting with the four-year-old setting out over a mile, from the outside of the gate, in the Nelson Classic on Sunday. But with the form he is in, Alta Meteor looks right up for the challenge. “It will be interesting – it is…
Punters cheer Louisville triumph
Talented galloper Louisville (NZ) (Redwood) notched his third career victory when successful over 1800m at Rosehill on Saturday, much to the delight of favourite backers. The Chris Waller-trained son of Redwood had started firm in the market at his previous three outings when finishing second on each occasion, having commenced his campaign with a win at Canterbury. Punters stuck fat with the five-year-old gelding who was sent out the $2.40 elect and confidence was bolstered as soon as the handy galloper was able to take a more forward position in…
Staying future for Bold Soul
Trainer Patrick Payne will hold bragging rights over brother Andrew, as the siblings supplied the first two runners home in The Stud and Stable Staff Awards (2000m) at Flemington when Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish) held sway over Crossoverkid (Alpine Eagle) on Saturday. In a slowly-run race, it was the mid-race move of jockey Daniel Stackhouse that ultimately paid dividends on the three-year-old son of Embellish. Bold Soul settled third last before Stackhouse made a mid-race move to sit in second spot and he held a strong gallop in the straight…
Te Akau continue winning trend in Trentham feature
Te Akau Racing’s dominance of the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (1600m) continued at Trentham on Saturday with Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) clinging on in an unforgettable finish. Those familiar tangerine colours have towered over the $500,000 three-year-old feature in recent times, collecting five wins since 2017 including all of the last three in a row. Former Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards provided the first three of those victories with Hall Of Fame (NZ) (Savabeel) in 2017, Age Of Fire (Fastnet Rock) in 2018 and Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in…
Mercurial prevails in Telegraph
Sam Spratt teamed up with arguably New Zealand’s most improved racehorse to land a boilover victory in Saturday’s Gr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham – her third time triumphing in a meeting that once came close to claiming her life. Saturday’s Telegraph heroics aboard Mercurial (NZ) (Burgundy) came some 21 years after Spratt suffered severe head injuries in a shocking fall in an undercard race on Telegraph Day on January 25, 2003. She not only recovered but later made a triumphant return to the saddle, going on…
Sghirripa produces stunning performance in Standish Handicap romp
Sghirripa ridden by Craig Newitt wins the Standish Handicap at Flemington. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) In the wake of his triumphant victory in the Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington, Sghirripa has posed an interesting question for his connections. Jockey Craig Newitt, who expertly guided the South Australian sprinter to his first Group win, suggested a straightforward solution to the impending decision regarding Group 1 autumn features such as the Oakleigh Plate or Newmarket Handicap. “We don’t they run in both?” Newitt proposed confidently, emphasising the horse’s prowess in the…
Drama and Domination: Abounding Wins 2024 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas in After Lengthy Delay
The 2024 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas was a race defined by both high drama and an impressive performance by the eventual Robert Heathcote-trained winning filly Abounding. After a near-tragic incident involving John O’Shea’s promising runner Sydney Bowler who reared in the barriers and became trapped, the event was delayed for over an hour, leaving hearts racing both on and off the track. Thankfully, the gelding escaped serious injury and was transported to the equine hospital for recovery. Once competition resumed, it was Heathcote’s outstanding filly Abounding ($7) who stole the…