Author: NZRacingDesk

Raymond Connors hoisted the Wellington Cup aloft in 2013 following Blood Brotha’s win, and this year he is hoping he can get his hands on the silverware once more. Traditionally a two-mile test, Blood Brotha’s victory came in one of the seven editions of the race conducted over 2400m before it returned to its customary 3200m distance, and winning the iconic race in front of a sizeable Trentham crowd was a memorable one for the Bulls farmer. “It was a good day, there wasn’t much in it, but he managed…

A step back up in trip on his home track on Saturday will be ideal for talented stayer Mayor Of Norwood. The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained son of Ghibellines has an excellent record at Wingatui and will bid to add another victory to his CV when he runs in the WAE Waikouaiti Cup (2200m). Three-times successful on the course and once over the distance, Mayor Of Norwood was unplaced in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) two starts ago and returned to finish a handy sixth over 1600m on Boxing…

Lib Petagna’s Elsdon Park will offer its third draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka later this month, and the Matamata nursery has upped the ante, with their consignment nearly doubling their previous offerings. “We are taking up 29 (yearlings) and it’s a big job, especially stepping up from the number we had last year (15),” Elsdon Park General Manager Kerrie Cox said. “This is our third yearling draft for Karaka. We are expanding and it’s exciting to be a part of. “The calibre of horses that…

Te Akau Racing are heading into Karaka Millions week with a spring in their step following a positive set of results at their home trials at Matamata on Tuesday. New Zealand’s leading stable has accrued an envious record at the renowned meeting, and this year they look to have another strong hand and have once again secured the services of leading Australian jockey Blake Shinn. Shinn flew to New Zealand to ride a number of Te Akau representatives at the trials on Tuesday, which proved to be an invaluable exercise…

Australian syndicator OTI Racing have made a timely acquisition of Skippers Canyon (NZ) (Belardo), with the promising three-year-old set to potentially recoup a portion of their outlay in Saturday’s $350,000 Race With Te Akau Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham. Bred by Ardsley Stud, the Belardo gelding has shown plenty of promise for trainer Jim Wallace, placing on four occasions before breaking through for his maiden victory over 2100m at Otaki earlier this month. Terry Henderson’s OTI Racing came calling over the weekend, and a deal was struck this week, with…

Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray will be out to complete their trio of New Zealand feature two-mile successes at Trentham on Saturday when Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel) takes on the Gr.3 NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport Wellington Cup (3200m). The Cambridge training partnership won both the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) last season with Mahrajaan, and while he was the headliner for the stable, waiting in the wings was emerging stayer Nereus, who took out the Gr.3 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) later in the autumn.…

Top-flight winner El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) is in a happy place as he prepares to double his tally at the elite level. Last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) victor enjoyed a spin around Matamata on Tuesday, romping home by six lengths in the hands of Rory Hutchings in a 1200m open trial. “He had a lovely day out, he galloped beautifully and pulled up great,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “He’ll be at Ellerslie on February 1 for an open 1500m and then on to the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr.1,…

Westbury Stud will offer sizeable Book 1 and 2 drafts at Karaka later this month, showcasing their own stallion roster and with variety added by choice offerings of leading Australian-based sires. The Gerry Harvey-owned operation is always strongly represented at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale and the 2025 consignment will continue that trend with quality and quantity. “There’ll be a few withdrawals, as there always are, but we’ll end up with 70-odd or more so it’s a big draft and a lot of work that goes into it,” Westbury…

Away from the bright lights of Book 1, the Book 2 session of NZB’s National Yearling Sales Series has a proud record of producing high-quality racehorses at much lower prices. More than a dozen Group winners have come out of Book 2 since Karaka 2018, including no fewer than nine individual Group One winners. The prices paid for those nine Group One winners range from $32,500 to $90,000, with an average of just $62,917. Group One Graduates Sprint queen Roch ‘N’ Horse (NZ) (Per Incanto) was offered by her breeders Little Avondale Stud during…

Haunui Farm will head to Karaka next week with a 51-strong draft for New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales, led by a number of blueblood fillies in Book 1. “We have got a very nice draft of Book 1 yearlings and we have got some pretty special fillies in that draft,” Haunui Farm managing director Mark Chitty said. Lot 345, the Savabeel filly out of Group Three performer Symphonic is set to garner plenty of interest, being a full-sister to multiple Group One winner and last season’s New Zealand Champion…