Crocetti pictured with trainers Danny Walker (left) and Arron Tata, and breeder-owner Daniel Nakhle following his Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) win.Photo: Race Images South A line has been ruled through an Australian autumn campaign for Crocetti, with the son of Zacinto heading to the spelling paddock after a standout three-year-old term. Trainers Danny Walker and Arron Tata were contemplating heading to Melbourne next month with the Group One winner but have elected to call time on his season following his runner-up effort behind Bonny Lass in last Saturday’s…
Month: February 2024
Bonny Lass sticking to domestic targets
Newly-crowned Group One winner Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) will continue her campaign in New Zealand after the mare’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) triumph last Saturday. Victory in the BCD Group Sprint came after luckless runs for second and third in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) and Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) respectively, her consistent form being rewarded at last at Te Rapa with a tough front-running performance, holding off the previously unbeaten three-year-old Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto). Graham Richardson, who trains the daughter of Super Easy in partnership with Rogan Norvall, had…
Interlinked on Derby path
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are following a familiar path back to their homeland with the New Zealand-bred Interlinked (NZ) (Savabeel) in the hope of completing unfinished Classic business. The expatriate Kiwi trainers will be represented by Savabeel’s son in the Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday as a lead into next month’s Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m). “He flies out tonight (Wednesday) and as long as the plane makes it okay, then he’ll be running,” Busuttin said. They went close to a successful hit-and-run…
Patterson pair head to Ellerslie
Taranaki trainer Robbie Patterson is looking forward to heading north to Ellerslie with Mary Lousie (NZ) (The Bold One) and Nom De Plume (NZ) (El Roca) this weekend after they pleased in their 1200m trial at Foxton on Tuesday. The pair will be looking to continue their good run of form when they contest the Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup (2400m). “They are going to the Avondale Cup on Saturday, so they had a really quiet trial,” Patterson said. “Craig (Grylls) was very happy with Mary Louise and Mereana Hudson…
2024 National Online Yearling Sale Entries Open
Entries for NZB’s 2024 National Online Yearling Sale are now open, with the Sale set to be held on Gavelhouse Plus. The catalogue will be available to view online from Wednesday 3 April, with bidding set to open on Friday 12 April and close from 6pm (NZT) on Wednesday 17 April. A significant benefit of the digital catalogue is that all lots offered in the National Online Yearling Sale are eligible to be nominated for the lucrative Karaka Millions Series. Just nine short months after they make their virtual sale-ring debut, graduates of the…
Crocetti in the spelling paddock
A line has been ruled through an Australian autumn campaign for Crocetti (NZ), with the son of Zacinto heading to the spelling paddock after a standout three-year-old term. Trainers Danny Walker and Arron Tata were contemplating heading to Melbourne next month with the Group One winner but have elected to call time on his season following his runner-up effort behind Bonny Lass in last Saturday’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa. “We did look at the Australian Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) and then I thought maybe the Newmarket (Gr.1,…
Wheeler part of Jubilee Celebrations on and off the track
Long-standing New Plymouth thoroughbred identity John Wheeler will don an extra hat at his local meeting this week to mark a memorable milestone. He will have half a-dozen runners in action on Friday, including the progressive Lord Donovan (NZ) (Lord), and will also be part of Taranaki Racing’s 150th Jubilee Celebrations. Wheeler will be centre stage with his close friend, former New Zealand Test cricketing great John Wright, at an 11.30am luncheon to kick off the festivities ahead of the seven-race card. “John will be the guest speaker and I’ll be…
Trial tops Taranaki pair off nicely for Avondale Cup
Mary Louise returns victorious following last month’s Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m). Photo: Race Images Taranaki trainer Robbie Patterson is looking forward to heading north to Ellerslie with Mary Lousie and Nom De Plume this weekend after they pleased in their 1200m trial at Foxton on Tuesday. The pair will be looking to continue their good run of form when they contest the Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m). “They are going to the Avondale Cup on Saturday, so they had a really quiet trial,” Patterson said. “Craig (Grylls) was very…
Expats hoping to go one better in home Derby
Interlinked (NZ) ridden by Thomas Stockdale wins at Caulfield Racecourse on December 14, 2023 in Caulfield, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are following a familiar path back to their homeland with the New Zealand-bred Interlinked in the hope of completing unfinished Classic business. The expatriate Kiwi trainers will be represented by Savabeel’s son in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday as a lead into next month’s Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). “He flies out tonight (Wednesday) and as long…
Wheeler playing two roles on Jubilee Day
John Wheeler pictured with Lord Donovan. Photo: Race Images South Long-standing New Plymouth thoroughbred identity John Wheeler will don an extra hat at his local meeting this week to mark a memorable milestone. He will have half a-dozen runners in action on Friday, including the progressive Lord Donovan, and will also be part of Taranaki Racing’s 150th Jubilee Celebrations. Wheeler will be centre stage with his close friend, former New Zealand Test cricketing great John Wright, at an 11.30am luncheon to kick off the festivities ahead of the seven-race card.…