Stakes assignments await promising filly Miss Madridista following her impressive 5-1/4 length victory in the Norwegian Park 1200 at Te Rapa on Friday. The three-year-old daughter of Shamexpress won her maiden at her second attempt two starts back before running fifth in a quality field behind NZB Kiwi contender Sought After and subsequent Group Three winner Ardalio. She was well supported by punters, closing into a $2.70 second favourite for Friday’s contest, where she was ridden positively from the outset by Craig Grylls and led throughout, carrying the colours of…
Month: January 2025
Wexford savours milestone day
With a pair of highly promising winners, a milestone for the season and a perfect exhibition gallop by a Group One-bound star, the Wexford Stables team had plenty of reasons to leave Te Rapa on Friday with a spring in their step. Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott went into Friday’s race meeting with 49 wins to their name this season, and they lifted that total to 51 with victories by Sabrina Hall in the NZB Kiwi Preview Evening 6/3 (1400m) and Peerless in the Fairview Motors Mile (1600m).…
Back to trans-Tasman transmission for Walker
Following a busy week in Auckland, it’s back to business as usual for Mark Walker, with the Te Akau trainer heading back across the Tasman to oversee his Cranbourne base. Walker has racked up plenty of frequent flyer points since Te Akau Racing established their Cranbourne operation in Victoria, and that is set to continue, with the respected horseman now having permanent residences on both sides of the Tasman. “I have got a permanent house here (Cranbourne) and a permanent house in New Zealand,” he said. “It works out really…
El Vencedor heads to Ellerslie for Herbie Dyke warm-up
With his eighth Group One assignment just around the corner, El Vencedor will head to Ellerslie on Saturday for a final tune-up in the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m). El Vencedor has competed at Group One level in seven of his last nine starts, starting with a second in the Thorndon Mile (1600m) in January of last year. He went on to run fourth in the Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m), then ran his rivals into the ground to score a superb front-running upset win in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes…
Pivotal Ten chasing southern crown at Gore
Flying filly Pivotal Ten will chase an early double in the South Island’s three-year-old stakes race at Gore on Sunday when she lines up in the Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas (1335m). The daughter of Ten Sovereigns and her trainer, jockey Samantha Wynne, have formed a formidable partnership this campaign, winning three on the bounce including the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui on Boxing Day. “I was really proud of her, she was stepping up in trip on a heavy track and her class prevailed,” Wynne said. “It was…
El Vencedor set for Group 1 tune-up at Ellerslie
El Vencedor will contest the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) at Ellerslie on Saturday Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) With his eighth Group One assignment just around the corner, El Vencedor will head to Ellerslie on Saturday for a final tune-up in the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m). El Vencedor has competed at Group One level in seven of his last nine starts, starting with a second in the Thorndon Mile (1600m) in January of last year. He went on to run fourth in the Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m), then…
Clotworthys Derby prospects set for Ellerslie assignments
Willydoit winning at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Shaun and Emma Clotworthy’s hopes for the upcoming Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Willydoit and Interplanetary, will continue their preparations for the $1.25 million feature in respective events at Ellerslie on Saturday. Willydoit has been the talking point of the Derby since winning his maiden over 1400m in December, a performance backed up with a commanding victory over Group Three winner Tuxedo on New Year’s Day. The son of Tarzino was a New Zealand Bloodstock National…
Hobart Cup
Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Hobart Cup Group Three Betting Guide Date: Sunday, February 9, 2025 Location: Elwick Racecourse – Hobart, Tasmania Prize Money: $250,000 Distance: 2400m The Hobart Cup, a Group 3 race for stayers, is held annually at Elwick, Hobart, over 2400m under handicap conditions. First run in 1875, The Hobart Cup has varied in distance over the years, including being a two-mile race early on. In 2025, the Hobart Cup is worth $250,000. Initially a Principal race, the Hobart Cup became a Group 3 from 1980…
About Time making all right moves ahead of Cup
In-form mare About Time is giving every indication she can master the ultimate distance of her autumn target. The daughter of American Pharoah has been set for the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) on March 8 and will bid to complete a hat-trick of wins along the way when she steps out at Ellerslie on Saturday. Trained by Lance Noble for breeders Cambridge Stud, the four-year-old will run in the Victoria Racing Club Handicap (2200m) with regular partner Warren Kennedy in the saddle. They have successfully combined on…
Derby mission continues for Clotworthys
Shaun and Emma Clotworthy’s hopes for the upcoming Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m), Willydoit and Interplanetary, will continue their preparations for the $1.25 million feature in respective events at Ellerslie on Saturday. Willydoit has been the talking point of the Derby since winning his maiden over 1400m in December, a performance backed up with a commanding victory over Group Three winner Tuxedo on New Year’s Day. The son of Tarzino was a New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale purchase, however, he wasn’t entered for the Karaka Millions series, meaning…