Author: NZRacingDesk

David Hayes anointed Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) as “probably the best horse” he has trained, while Zac Purton described the speedster as a “really special horse” after the four-year-old’s incredible record-breaking win in the HK$13 million Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Clocking 1m 07.20s in a phenomenal display of sustained speed, Ka Ying Rising lowered the track record for the second time this season, eclipsing the 1m 07.43s he posted on 17 November, to secure his 10th win from 12 starts and leaving Hayes…

Unbeaten three-year-old Dealt With (NZ) (Ace High) has booked himself a ticket to the big dance with victory in Sunday’s Elsdon Park 1400, but it wasn’t without a heart-stopping moment in the home straight for Roger James and Robert Wellwood. The son of Ace High debuted with a comfortable, albeit green win at Te Aroha earlier this month, and stepping into open age-group company at Pukekohe, he was fancied to replicate that result closing a narrow $3.20 favourite over First Dance ($3.30). Powering from barrier three, Dealt With was keen…

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has had his first public hit out for 2025, and Lindsay Park have planned the first three runs of their star galloper’s Autumn campaign before a final decision on international travel is made. The seven-year-old gelding is showing no signs of slowing down and is set to resume in the Gr.1 C F Orr Stakes (1400m) on February 8th before progressing to the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) and Gr.1 All Star Mile (1600m), all races he’s won in the past. Ben Hayes, who trains in partnership…

Guy, Jayne & Emily look back on the final day of the Wellington Cup Carnival and catch up with Shaun McKay and Robbie Patterson around each of their teams. Then they look forward towards the big features coming out of Ellerslie. Weigh In, January 19

Corey Campbell knows his way around Wingatui Racecourse and the local hoop added another four winners to his formidable record at the track on Saturday. The 23-year-old achieved his first winning quartet at Wingatui over six years ago on Melbourne Cup Day, including three for his long-time employers Brian and Shane Anderton. The combination were to the fore again on this occasion, taking out the feature WAE Waikouaiti Cup (2200m) with Mayor Of Norwood (NZ) (Ghibellines). A son of White Robe Lodge sire Ghibellines, Mayor Of Norwood was the $3.50…

Major Trentham race meetings have been a happy hunting ground for South Island raider Our Echo (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven), who scored another upset victory in the TAGS Accounting & Taxation (1400m) on Saturday’s Wellington Cup undercard. The $65,000 open handicap was the eighth win of a 45-start career for Our Echo, who has placed on another 15 occasions and has banked just under $280,000. But the son of Echoes Of Heaven has saved his very best for the big occasions at Trentham, where his seven starts have produced three…

Windsor Park Stud has drawn on a diverse range of sires from across Australasia to make up its Karaka 2025 yearling draft, but a week out from the sale, all eyes will be on one of their own stallions. Shamexpress has had a remarkable resurgence, headed by his champion Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress). The freakish four-year-old has won all of his last eight starts culminating in last month’s Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), and he makes an eagerly anticipated return to raceday action in this evening’s…

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Talented five-year-old Osipenko (NZ) (Pierro) showed he’s still got it with a well-deserved victory in the Listed January Cup (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday. While racing well, the Chris Waller-trained Osipenko hadn’t won since taking out the 2023 Gr.3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m). One of four winners for James McDonald, who was back riding at a Sydney Saturday meeting for the first time since Everest day in October, Osipenko sat third in the run and was presented rounding the home bend, going on to score by 1-1/4 lengths over Converge…

Improving three-year-old Garnacho (NZ) (Ace High) scored a last-stride victory in the Howden Australian Guineas Day, 1 March (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday for trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne. Ridden by Damian Lane, the gelded son of Ace High sat just off a solid early speed and despite still doing a few things wrong, wore down runner-up Zorro’s Flight (Toronado). Garnacho has now won two of his four starts and looks like a three-year-old that will relish getting over further ground. David Browne admitted he was concerned watching early in…