Day: 29 March 2025

La Dorada winning Saturday’s Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) A sparkling performance by La Dorada in Saturday’s Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) completed another Te Akau clean sweep of New Zealand’s biggest two-year-old prizes. La Dorada had previously won the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), while her unbeaten stablemate Return To Conquer strung together four black-type successes including the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). Since the inception of the Karaka Millions…

Waitak winning the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Last year’s Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) winner Waitak has showcased his versatility and class this autumn with a dominant double over 1600m and 2100m. The son of Proisir was a three-length winner of the Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga on March 15, and on Saturday he stepped up over even further and won the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham with similar ease. Waitak has…

Velocious winning the Manco 1150 (1150m) at Te Aroha on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Last season’s boom two-year-old Velocious made her raceday return after a tie-back wind operation in stunning fashion when she stormed home from a clear last on the home bend to take out the Manco 1150 (1150m) at Te Aroha. The Stephen Marsh-prepared daughter of Written Tycoon had been off the scene since finishing near last in the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings in September, where she was immediately operated on to…

Kiwi Skyhawk winning Saturday’s Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) After a series of highly creditable performances against some of the best of his age group, Kiwi Skyhawk broke through for his first feature-race success in Saturday’s Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham. The Contributer gelding was a third placegetter on debut at Te Rapa on July 27 last year, then scored a 1400m maiden victory at the same venue a fortnight later. Kiwi Skyhawk had gone winless through the seven…

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, March 30, 2025 First Race 12:45pm HKT (3:45pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, with a bumper 10-race program set for decision. The Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) and Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) share top billing for the meeting, while the undercard oozes quality throughout the afternoon. The rail moves into the A+3 position, and although some rainfall is predicted to hit the…

What Wellington Races Where Wellington Race Club – Bushrangers Creek Rd, Mount Arthur NSW 2820 When Sunday, March 30, 2025 First Race 12:50pm AEDT Visit Dabble Country racing returns to Wellington Race Club on Sunday afternoon, with a massive eight-part program lined up for their marquee day on the calendar. The $200,000 Wellington Boot Showcase (1100m) headlines the action, with a capacity field of 14 two-year-olds set to step out, while Big Dance (1600m) eligibility is up for grabs in the Wellington Cup (1700m). The rail is in the true…

Daniel Stackhouse returns to the mounting yard on Deakin after winning the Roy Higgins at Flemington Racecourse. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Phillip Stokes will have a runner in the 2025 Melbourne Cup, thanks to Daniel Stackhouse’s perfectly timed ride aboard Deakin in the Listed Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington on Saturday afternoon. The son of Australia was heavily backed with horse racing bookmakers, and he jumped at -125, which was the shortest favourite on the program. In a race that changed speed multiple times, Smokin Romans (+1100) took up…

Light Infantry Man ridden by Ethan Brown winning the Group 1 Australian Cup at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Light Infantry Man ($9.50) has stormed over the top to claim the 163rd running of the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday afternoon, with the former UK galloper securing his second Group 1 victory since arriving to the Ciaron Maher stable. The son of Fast Company was an impressive winner of the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at the end of last preparation and has seemingly gone…