Proven miler and winter track specialist Belardo Boy (NZ) (Belardo) bounced back to winning form when he produced a powerful home straight surge to capture the feature event at Wanganui on Saturday, the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m). The 2023 Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) winner was having just his second run in a new campaign for trainer Lisa Latta and stripped in good condition after taking plenty of benefit from his first up run for eighth at Te Rapa a fortnight ago. The five-year-old son of former Haunui Farm shuttle…
Month: June 2024
Belardi bags black-type win
Three and a half hours before Moonlight Magic (NZ) (Almanzor) took her place in Saturday’s Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm, her half-brother Belardi (NZ) (Belardo) kicked off a huge day for the family with victory in the Listed John Turkington Forestry Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui. Both Belardi and Moonlight Magic are trained by Andrew Forsman for owner-breeders the Sunlight Trust, and they are among the five winners from just five foals out of the Encosta De Lago mare Japonica. Belardi became the second stakes winner in that…
Carpe Diem claims Foxton Cup
Carpe Diem (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) relished the heavy track and returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in over a year in The Foxton Cup 2040 at Wanganui on Saturday. The winter specialist had recorded four of his prior five career victories in heavy conditions, most recently last May at Trentham, and that factor was duly noted by punters who backed him into a $5 second-favourite behind King Of Hearts (NZ) (Jakkalberry) ($4.10). Waitarere Beach trainer Brendon McDermott secured the services of Warren Kennedy for the Cup and…
Matamata mare capitalises on Wanganui trip
Apprentice Ciel Butler made good use of her 2kg claim when she guided Matamata visitor Caitlyns Wish (NZ) (Belardo) to victory in the Open 1200m Handicap at Wanganui on Saturday. The Stephen Autridge-prepared four-year-old daughter of Belardo had been thereabouts of late without securing top spot on the podium and was well backed in the TAB Fixed Odds market to start a $3.90 second favourite behind the heavily supported Wewillrock (NZ) (El Roca) ($2.30). Wewillrock (59.5kgs), who carried a full 7.5kg more in weight than the eventual winner with senior…
Hezashocka too good in Premier’s Cup
Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking) has proven himself in far stronger company than Saturday’s Gr.3 Living Turf Premier’s Cup (2400m), and that big-race quality shone through with a comfortable victory at Eagle Farm. Although last month’s Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2200m) was his first win since 2022, Hezashocka has made his presence felt right up to the highest level. He has placed in the Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m), Gr.3 JRA Plate (2000m) and Listed Mornington Cup (2400m), along with a fourth in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) and fifth in the…
Carpe Diem seizes Foxton Cup
Carpe Diem (outside) powers through the heavy conditions at Wanganui to win The Foxton Cup 2040 on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Carpe Diem relished the heavy track and returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in over a year in The Foxton Cup 2040 at Wanganui on Saturday. The winter specialist had recorded four of his prior five career victories in heavy conditions, most recently last May at Trentham, and that factor was duly noted by punters who backed him into a $5 second-favourite…
I Wish I Win claims Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup
I Wish I Win ridden by Luke Nolen takes out the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm. Photo: Darren Winningham Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman have claimed back-to-back wins at Eagle Farm on Saturday afternoon, with I Wish I Win (+280) securing victory in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m). He was able to turn the tables on Bella Nipotina (+750) from the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) last start after chasing on inferior ground, with Luke Nolen being legged aboard this time for the absent James…
Belardi lands Castletown on big day for family
Belardi (outside) pulls away to win the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Three and a half hours before Moonlight Magic took her place in Saturday’s Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm, her half-brother Belardi kicked off a huge day for the family with victory in the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui. Both Belardi and Moonlight Magic are trained by Andrew Forsman for owner-breeders the Sunlight Trust, and they are among the five winners from just five foals out of…
Roll On High causes boilover in Group 3 Fred Best Classic
Roll On High ridden by Vlad Duric has taken out the Group 3 Fred Best Classic at Eagle Farm. Photo: Darren Winningham The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Roll On High (+1500) has caused a minor upset in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm, storming down the middle of the track to score an impressive victory. The daughter of Sheamus Award had been mixing her form prior to Saturday, with her most recent effort in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) leaving a lot to…
Geriatrix shines on Australian debut
Geriatrix makes an immediate impression since arriving in Australia, winning at Eagle Farm. Photo: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography New Zealand three-year-old Geriatrix made a big impression when making his Australian debut at Eagle Farm on Saturday, albeit not in the race his trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott had hoped for. The Almanzor colt headed across the Tasman as a three-race winner from nine starts, most recently at Rotorua on May 11, and he had also produced strong finishes to be close up behind the placegetters in the Group 3…