Month: February 2025

Best Rose winning at Riccarton on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images South Progressive juvenile Best Rose turned the tables on her key rival at Riccarton Park on Wednesday, scoring an impressive second-up victory in The Tea House At Riccarton Park 2YO (1000m). A filly by Maurice, Best Rose had made two trial appearances for Te Akau Racing’s Matamata stable before venturing south to their Riccarton base where she debuted for second behind Zelia. The pair were set to go head-to-head again at the midweek meeting and despite the last-start defeat, Best…

Hastings trainer Jordan Bassett. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) After going through all stages of life together so far, it would be a fitting result for Meltemi and Wild Thyme to collect their maiden victories in respective races at Wanganui on Friday. The three-year-old fillies were bred by Richard McKenzie, an equine veterinarian by trade, who trains the pair in partnership with Jordan Bassett. Back in 2020, the Hastings couple elected to send the dams of both fillies to Darci Brahma, mating with The Oaks Stud’s former sire…

Vegas Queen will take her place in Saturday’s Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) There are only a few slots to fill in next month’s $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), and Ruakaka filly Vegas Queen will be seeking to secure one of them when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). The daughter of Proisir scored her maiden win at her home track as a juvenile in July and has hardly put a foot wrong as a…

Belclare will contest Saturday’s Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Gun mare Belclare has had plenty of success raiding the northern riches at Ellerslie and she’ll be back to do just that on Saturday, taking on the Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m). A two-time winner of the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Belclare spent the first half of the season in Sydney with Bjorn Baker, adding a pair of Group 2’s and over A$1 million in earnings to her already dazzling Kiwi…

Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston. Photo: Trish Dunell Talented southern filly Miss Ziggy will provide trainer Andrew Carston with answers to her immediate program on Saturday. The daughter of Brazen Beau has acquitted herself well in strong company this season and will step out in the TAB 2YO (1100m) at Ellerslie with her performance to determine the future path she takes. Miss Ziggy will be coming off a gallant third in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), in which she didn’t enjoy the smoothest of runs. She settled well back after being…

Qali Al Farrasha will contest Saturday’s Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Group 1 performer Qali Al Farrasha will be out to shed her bridesmaid tag when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday, but she will face a stiff task against a quality line-up in the Group 1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m). The homebred daughter of Almanzor has been a model of consistency for Te Akau Racing, winning two and placing in eight of her 12 starts, earning more than $260,000 in prizemoney…

Estriella is the $3.60 final field favourite for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate. (Photo by Ross Holburt/Racing Photos) The sprinters step out to scorch the turf in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, with a near capacity field of 17 set to line up in $750,000 handicap. Estriella headlines the three-pronged attack from the Ciaron Maher barn and is the early $3.60 favourite with horse racing betting sites after drawing barrier nine. The daughter of I Am Invincible is undefeated in two starts at Caulfield,…

Mr Brightside ridden by Craig Williams winning the 2024 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) is the first of three Group 1 features set to take place at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, with the $750,000 weight-for-age classic attracting a quality field of 11. Eight-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside is the clear-cut favourite with horse racing bookmakers for the event, with the son of Bullbars opening $1.85 after a stellar first-up performance behind Another Wil at the same course and distance…

Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Zeditave Stakes Group Three Betting Guide Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025 Location: Caulfield Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria Prize Money: $200,000 Distance: 1200m The Zeditave Stakes is a Group 3 race for three-year-olds, run over 1200m under set weights and penalties by the Melbourne Racing Club at Caulfield. Named after the champion sprinter Zeditave, the Zeditave Stakes was first held in 1989 and upgraded from Listed to Group 3 status in 2014 when it moved to Blue Diamond Stakes day. Offering $200,000 in prizemoney in…