Day: 29 June 2024

Former Kiwi galloper Desperado (NZ) (Ghibellines) relished the rain-affected conditions at Caulfield on Saturday as he powered to victory in the Whisky, Wine & Fire Handicap (2000m) under jockey John Allen. Prepared by Ciaron Maher, the six-year-old son of Ghibellines was initially prepared in New Zealand by Brian and Shane Anderton for whom he won a Gore maiden before being sold to Australia. The hardy gelding has now won five of his 18 career starts, with a further four placings and races in the colours of prominent owner Rod Lyons,…

Some inspired support for debutant Dupont (NZ) (Belardo) paid dividends at Ruakaka on Saturday when the Jenna Mahoney-prepared runner delivered a stylish victory in the Ruakaka NZ’s Best Bet in Winter (1100m) two-year-old contest. Wins at both the Pukekohe and Cambridge Synthetic trial meetings in recent months saw the son of Belardo backed in to start a warm $3.30 favourite ahead of fellow debutant Dua Dance (NZ) (Yes Yes Yes) at the jump. Rider Kelly Myers had Dupont away nicely from barrier three but elected to take a sit on…

Exciting local three-year-old Dan Vegas (NZ) (Per Incanto) added a second victory to his unbeaten record with another dominant front-running performance in Saturday’s Truweld Engineering 3YO (1400m) at Ruakaka. The well-related gelding turned heads at the previous Ruakaka meeting on June 8, leading all the way for a smart debut victory over 1400m. He lined up for his second career appearance over the same course and distance on Saturday, taking on a talented field of three-year-olds, and was every bit as impressive. Drawn awkwardly in gate 11 of 12, Dan…

In his first New Zealand steeplechase start in almost three years, Te Kahu (NZ) (Zacinto) made a stunning return to the big stage and defeated champion jumper West Coast in Saturday’s Animal Health Direct Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m). The Zacinto gelding announced his arrival as a big-time steeplechaser during the winter of 2021, winning three races including that year’s edition of the $125,000 Great Northern Steeplechase (6200m) at Te Aroha. Trainer and part-owner Dan O’Leary took on Australia in 2022, collecting placings at Casterton and Pakenham in his only two…

Caitlin McKee celebrated her first success in the saddle on Saturday in the most prestigious race of the Flair Amateur Rider Series, the New Zealand Hunts’ Association Duke Of Gloucester Cup (2100m). Waikato-based McKee was having just her fourth ride as an amateur and partnered $36 outside chance Meandeel (NZ) (Dundeel)  who was searching for a return to form in more favourable heavy conditions at Hastings. Jumping from the extreme outside barrier, McKee settled the Ken Harrison-trained gelding in the second-half of the field but was forced wide around the…

Former Kiwi galloper Amberite continues to make a good impression since joining the stable of Mornington trainer Matt Laurie, with the son of Proisir trekking north to Sydney to land the Prague Yearlings Selling Now Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The talented four-year-old has now won twice from three starts for Laurie, with a victory at Flemington in May before finishing runner-up to Foujita San at Caulfield earlier this month.  The gelding had shown plenty of talent in New Zealand, collecting two wins and five placings for Matamata trainer…

Moira and Kieran Murdoch’s renowned beach training has turned around the careers of countless gallopers over the years, and former Taranaki star Shamus (NZ) (Shamexpress) added his name to that list in Saturday’s $40,000 Northpine Waipu Cup (1400m) at Ruakaka. The highly talented Shamexpress gelding was a six-time winner from 13 starts for New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock, headed by the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) as a three-year-old in 2022. He also placed in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) and Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m), and he finished a close sixth…