Left with more questions than answers after the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m), Linebacker‘s (NZ) (Super Seth) trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton are focusing on the three-year-old’s pleasing work at home as the best guide to his Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) prospects. Following a solid first-up performance in the Gr.3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m), Linebacker turned in a head-scratching effort in the Hobartville when he drifted back in the field and never seriously threatened, finishing sixth and more than three lengths from winner Broadsiding. Tom Charlton admits the stable has ben unsure what to make of the run but cannot…
Year: 2025
Island Life to add to family’s big week
Promising filly Island Life could cap a big week for one of Pencarrow Stud’s families when she lines up as favourite for the Gr.3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Island Life is by Vadamos out of the Montjeu mare Lycia, whose half-sister Corinthia is the dam of last Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) winner Feroce. Pencarrow principal Sir Peter Vela retained Island Life to race in his familiar blue and white hooped colours, and she has been a big mover in Final Field betting…
All eyes on Legarto in Breeders’ Stakes
Legarto will contest Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) After a pair of fast-finishing seconds on major Ellerslie racedays last season, New Zealand’s highest-rated mare Legarto has the chance to set the record straight on Champions Day. Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) will be the fourth start at Ellerslie for Legarto, who picked up a win and two second placings from her three appearances at the reopened Auckland track last season. Legarto was a winner over…
Dennis hunting Southern Cups Series bonus
Loftys Gift currently leads the Southern Cups Bonus Series after winning last Saturday’s Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) at Wingatui. Photo: Tayler Strong Sunday’s Wyndham Cup (2000m) at Gore is the penultimate race in the Southern Cups Bonus Series, with Ascot Park trainer Robert Dennis holding pole position at the moment with his mare Loftys Gift. The six-year-old daughter of Ghibellines put herself three points ahead of her nearest rival with victory in last Saturday’s Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) at Wingatui, and she is in line to try and…
Belclare shoots for Breeders’ Stakes treble
Belclare pictured with breeder and co-owner David Woodhouse. Photo: Race Images Belclare will attempt to carve out a piece of New Zealand racing history with an unprecedented third victory in the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The daughter of Per Incanto won the fillies and mares’ feature at Pukekohe in 2023, then defended her crown at Ellerslie last March. She became only the sixth back-to-back winner of the Breeders’ Stakes, joining Tudor Light (1976-77), Orchidra (1978-79), Waikiki (1990-91), Aimee Jay (1998-99) and Saint…
Ellerslie race-by-race preview & betting tips | March 8, 2025
What Champion’s Day 2025 Where Ellerslie Racecourse – 100 Ascot Ave, Remuera, Auckland 1051, New Zealand When Saturday, March 8 First Race 12:15pm NZDT (10:15am AEDT) Visit Dabble New Zealand racing’s richest raceday, Champion’s Day, awaits punters at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday with an action-packed 10-race meeting scheduled. The inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) headlines proceedings, but is duly supported by four Group 1 races, including the time-honoured New Zealand Derby (2400m) worth $1.25 million. A perfect day for racing is forecast in Auckland, and with…
Lumber Punk chasing first NT Victory
Lumber Punk after winning at Bendigo on March 11, 2022. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Runner up in Darwin’s Palmerston Sprint (1200m) last year, Lumber Punk has returned to the NT and is eyeing Alice Springs’ $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) on April 5. The six-year-old gelding commences his Red Centre campaign on Saturday when he faces decent 0-70 opposition over 1200m at Pioneer Park. His fortunes once again rest with leading Darwin trainer Gary Clarke. Returning to South Australia following the 2024 Darwin Cup Carnival, Lumber Punk spent time with Murray Bridge…
Favourite in prime order for NZB Kiwi bid
Per Incanto’s son Evaporate is ready to fulfil expectations and complete a memorable New Zealand feature race double for brothers Ben, Will and JD Hayes. He has headed betting for the $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m) since he was confirmed in early January by slot holder Entain as their representative in the inaugural running of the age group event. The three-year-old will bid to emulate older stablemate Here To Shock, who was sent across the Tasman by the Lindsay Park operation last month to romp to victory in the…
Te Akau hold strong hand on Champions Day
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson will head to Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday with a number of leading prospects, and the country’s leading trainers are looking forward to being a part of the monumental meeting. The 10-race card will include eight stakes races, three at Group One level, and the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), and Bergerson said it will be a landmark day for New Zealand racing. “It is a ground-breaking day in terms of the history of New Zealand racing,” he said. “It…
Marsh’s El Vencedor earns top Ellerslie billing
Stephen Marsh has given the high flying El Vencedor the nod as his best chance of landing a winning blow at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Cambridge trainer is well-represented in the Champions’ Day features but finds it hard to go past the in-form son of Shocking in his bid to add the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) to his record. El Vencedor is chasing his third top-flight title on the bounce following successes in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m). “I think…