Month: September 2024

Phillip Stokes acknowledges Climbing Star (NZ) (Zoustar) will be stepping up to another level when she runs in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at weight-for-age on Friday night at The Valley, but he’s upbeat about her chances. So much so that he’s giving a good push for punters who like value. “She’s 50-1 in the betting and I can see her running in the top four,” Stokes said. Last preparation, Stokes decided to keep Climbing Star to sprint races and this strategy paid off handsomely as she elevated herself to…

A benchmark race at Rosehill is the preferred starting point for Group winner Good Banter (NZ) (Tavistock). Taking on the likes of Tropical Squall and Amelia’s Jewel in the Golden Pendant is Plan B for Adrian Knox Stakes winner Good Banter, with connections hoping she can kick of her spring campaign on a softer note. The mare is safely in the field for Saturday’s Group 2, 1400m feature, but co-trainer Tom Charlton says their first preference is the Irresistible Pools and Spa Handicap (1400m) for which she is second emergency. “We put a last-minute acceptance in for the Golden Pendant because…

Promising filly Donna Chiara (NZ) (Belardo) put her hand up for upcoming stakes assignments with a dominant performance in the Seahorse Supplements Maiden 3YO (1200m) at Timaru on Wednesday.  The daughter of Belardo competed in strong company as a juvenile, placing behind subsequent Group One-performer Red Sea before heading for a spell. Returning as a three-year-old, Donna Chiara made her first appearance for Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton arm on the synthetic, where she finished runner-up to Robdontess.  Reverting back to her own age group, Donna Chiara was heavily favoured to…

There has been another injection of Kiwi flavour to the A$20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick next month, with the Cambridge Stud-owned Joliestar securing a slot in the world’s richest turf race.  The four-year-old daughter of Zoustar will take up the Chris Waller Racing and Partners slot, which comprises of her trainer Chris Waller, Neville and Jenny Morgan, Peter and Patricia Tighe (Magic Bloodstock), Noel and Maria Greenhalgh, and Ingham Racing.  Joliestar put herself on the map as a three-year-old when winning two and runner-up in three of her…

Champions Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) have seemingly scared away the majority of their opposition in Friday night’s Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley. Just four horses have accepted for the A$500,000 race, which features win-and-you’re-in status for the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m). As expected, Craig Williams has been booked to ride Mr Brightside from barrier three, while the Trelawney Stud-bred Pride Of Jenni and Declan Bates will jump from barrier one. Tony Gollan’s Antino (NZ) (Redwood) will jump from barrier two with…

Each race in Evaporate’s (NZ) (Per Incanto) winning streak has been a new test and Lindsay Park will take his education to a new level this Friday night. The son of Per Incanto will chase a fourth-straight win in the $300,000 Group 2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley. The Valley has been the scene of three-year-old handicap wins for Evaporate at his past two starts, victories that followed a Cranbourne maiden success, and Ben Hayes said he had earned a shot at Stakes company. The 1600-metre event will double as a Caulfield Guineas…

Well-known racing photographer Peter Rubery is used to being behind the lens capturing the action for winning owners, but at Waverley on Tuesday he was able to experience that winning feeling himself. Rubery, who operates racing photography business Race Images NZ, is part of the ownership group of Churchill gelding Super Gold, who broke through for his maiden win in the Matty Neil Building (1650m) for trainer Nicky Goss and apprentice jockey Toni Davies. It was Rubery’s first win as an owner, and he said he was delighted to experience…