Month: August 2024

Stratford trainer Tony Dravitzki. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Tony Dravitzki has only one nagging worry with Tobias ahead of Saturday’s feature contest at New Plymouth. The Stratford trainer has his son of Complacent in prime order for the ITM New Plymouth Interprovincial (1600m), in which he will chase his fourth consecutive victory. “He’s in really good form and ready to go again, the only concern I have is that even with the four-kilo claim, he is still going to have to carry 57kg,” Dravitzki said. Tobias will…

Mahrajaan will line up at Ruakaka on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray scooped the major Cups last season with Mahrajaan, and with the ultimate two-mile contest now on their radar, he will appear for the first time this season at Ruakaka on Saturday. After being purchased out of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale in 2022, Mahrajaan more than proved himself on Kiwi soil last season, winning both the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m). His Cambridge trainers…

Gentian Blue will contest the Vale Catherine Rae (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Cambridge trainer Maxim van Lierde dreamed of campaigning a horse in Melbourne when he spent time at Lindsay Park last year, and now that has turned into a reality. “Last year I took a horse called Henry Robin over to Lindsay Park and I spent over two weeks with them,” van Lierde said. “I got on quite well with Will (Hayes, co-trainer) especially because I did quite a lot of track work…

Full Force will contest the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Cambridge trainer Hollie Wynyard will attempt to turn the clock back 10 years on Saturday to maintain her perfect record at New Zealand’s most northern circuit. Her hopes will rest with Full Force, who has enjoyed a trouble free preparation ahead of his return to racing at Ruakaka in the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). “It’s a nice race for him and I’ve only ever had one runner at Ruakaka before…

Drifting winning the 2024 Magic Night Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW Blake Shinn is feeling confident about his upcoming ride on Drifting in Saturday’s Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield after a recent jump-out at Flemington. The Peter Snowden-trained filly, who won the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) in the autumn, will be making her first appearance of the season from barrier three. “She’s a really lovely filly, this girl,” Shinn told Racing.com. “I jumped her out last Friday, and I was very impressed by the feel she gave me.…

Godolphin trainer James Cummings. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Tarpaulin, the promising colt by Harry Angel, will remain in Sydney for Saturday’s Listed Rosebud (1100m) instead of travelling to Melbourne for the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m). Trainer James Cummings explained that the decision to withdraw the Godolphin three-year-old from the Caulfield race was made with the horse’s long-term prospects in mind. While Tarpaulin appeared well-suited for the Melbourne race, Cummings opted for Rosehill, where the colt will carry 55 kilograms under the Quality Handicap conditions. “He is quite nicely…