Raymond Connors’ green and red colours will forever be known for six victories in the Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) at Ellerslie between 1998 and 2019, but the respected Manawatu horseman returned to Auckland on Saturday and took the spoils in another major test of stamina. Connors won the Great Northern as an owner and jockey on Our Jonty (1998) before adding owner-trainer successes with Hypnotize (2007, 2008, 2009) and Wise Men Say (2017, 2019). Now those trophies sit alongside a major prize on the flat, courtesy of a $17 upset…
Year: 2025
Thrilling finish to Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes
Pin up boy El Vencedor signed off his latest local campaign with the final leg of a winning Group One treble when he downed gallant mare La Crique in a thrilling finish to the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. El Vencedor or EV as he is now affectionately known had added the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) to his career record at his previous two starts and was shooting for a final local accolade before heading to Hong Kong next…
Provence a dual Group One winner after Breeders’ Stakes upset
Eight weeks after celebrating what they thought was a career pinnacle in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham, the connections of blue-blooded mare Provence were treated to something even more special in Saturday’s Gr.1 HKJC World Pool New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie. The fillies and mares’ feature carried a stake of $600,000 and was one of four Group Ones on a star-studded Champions Day card. Provence earned her time in the spotlight with a stunning $30 upset over the $1.30 favourite, New Zealand’s highest-rated mare Legarto.…
Alabama Lass Melbourne-bound after King’s Plate romp
Ken and Bev Kelso bought Alabama Lass in Melbourne as a yearling two years ago, and a stunning performance in Saturday’s Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie has them plotting a return. The $250,000 sprint feature on Champions Day was a rematch of the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) in January, where Crocetti defeated Alabama Lass by a short head. Alabama Lass had a weight swing in her favour on Saturday and jumped as a $1.70 favourite to turn the tables, and she delivered in style. Alabama Lass broke sharply…
Dee makes winning return to New Zealand
Ex-pat Kiwi rider Michael (Mick) Dee gained early success on his latest race day return to his homeland when he guided favourite Island Life to victory in the Gr. 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie. Dee, who plies in his trade in Melbourne these days after spending his formative years in New Zealand, had been engaged to partner race favourite Willydoit in the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) later on the card and got his day off to a great start with a superb effort…
Return To Conquer brings up Te Akau Racing milestone
Expensive colt Return To Conquer extended his unbeaten record to four as he brought up a significant milestone for the Te Akau Racing operation when winning the Gr. 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. The son of Snitzel was bought by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for A$1.3 million as a yearling on the Gold Coast in January of last year and his latest success made it 100 Group One wins for Ellis and his team at Te Akau Racing. Starting a warm $2.10 Fixed Odds favourite, Return To…
2025 All-Star Mile Winner Tom Kitten Beats Mr Brightside
The 2025 All-Star Mile, in its inaugural Group 1 running, witnessed a stunning upset as Godolphin‘s Tom Kitten defeated the equal favourite, Mr Brightside, at Flemington on Saturday. Ben Melham delivered a masterful ride, guiding the James Cummings-trained Tom Kitten to victory in a tight finish. “He came back really good, this horse. His second […] The post 2025 All-Star Mile Winner Tom Kitten Beats Mr Brightside appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au.
Jedibeel slices through to claim Group 2 Challenge Stakes
Jedibeel surges to victory in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Brad Widdup & Tyler Schiller combined with Jedibeel ($10.00) to claim victory in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, slicing between horses to record an impressive eighth career win. The son of Savabeel was first-up after a 84-day spell, however, did bring residual fitness into the $500,000 feature after securing Listed success at the end of last preparation over 1200m. The five-year-old gelding had never missed the frame fresh, and that…
Tom Kitten claims Group 1 All Star Mile
Tom Kitten ridden by Ben Melham wins the All-Star Mile at Flemington. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) James Cummings has claimed his first All Star Mile (1600m) as a trainer, following a perfectly timed ride from Ben Melham aboard Tom Kitten (+360) at Flemington. Following his flashing light run when he was an unlucky runner-up behind Mr Brightside (+170) in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes, the son of Harry Angel has turned the tables on the champion by defeating him in a head-bobbing finish to the All Star Mile. As…
Middle Earth strikes on Aussie debut in Australian Cup Prelude
Middle Earth (GB) ridden by Mark Zahra wins the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington.(Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher and Mark Zahra have combined with Middle Earth on his Australian racing debut to claim the Australian Cup Prelude (2000m) at Flemington. The ex-European gelding was heavily backed with PlayUp in the final 10 minutes before the jump, as his odds continued to shorten from a high of +380 to +250. The son of Roaring Lion settled worse than midfield and enjoyed a strong tempo that was set by Aramco…