Author: NZRacingDesk

The Subzero Handicap (1400m), a race solely for registered grey thoroughbreds, has proven to be a fan favourite at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, and this year, Kiwis will have their own grey to barrack for. Popular grey gelding Chattahoochee (NZ) (Reliable Man) has developed a cult following back in New Zealand where he has won six races and was runner-up in the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m) earlier this year for Te Awamutu trainer Debbie Sweeney. The son of Reliable Man was building towards a trip across the Tasman this preparation,…

Te Akau and Fortuna Racing’s filly Bellatrix Star (Star Witness) proved she is among Australia’s top sprinting three-year-olds last Saturday at Flemington, finishing second in the A$2 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m). The daughter of Star Witness was a Group Two winner during her juvenile term in New Zealand, but since relocating across to Mark Walker’s Cranbourne stable this season, she has gone to a new level with victories in the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m), Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) and Gr.2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m). Her impeccable form gave Walker…

Grant Cooksley came tantalisingly close to getting his hands on the Melbourne Cup as a jockey, and he is hoping to rectify that on Tuesday as a trainer when he lines-up Trust In You (NZ) (Sweynesse) in the two-mile feature. The South Auckland horseman rode in several editions of the time-honoured race, including a runner-up performance behind Kingston Rule in 1990 aboard the Murray Baker-trained The Phantom. This week Cooksley, who trains in partnership with Bruce Wallace, will have his chance to go one better in the race courtesy of…

Pre-post favourite Habana (Zoustar) will head into unfamiliar territory at Ellerslie, but there is confidence in his camp that it will be a smooth transition. The six-year-old has fashioned an impressive record up to 1600m and will step out of his comfort zone for the first time on Tuesday when he runs in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m). All the key indicators strongly suggest the son of Zoustar will be just as effective over more ground, which will also be very much to the liking of his stablemate and race…

Rising star Richard Stomper (NZ) (El Roca) may have earned himself a shot at the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) during New Zealand Cup Week after claiming another impressive victory at Ashburton on Sunday. Richard Stomper has been patiently handled by trainer Stephanie Faulkner, with a successful four-year-old season highlighted by a win in one of the ODT Southern Qualifier races in January. A slight ligament injury ruled Richard Stomper out of contesting the ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m) in March, but the gelding has come back bigger and stronger this…

Talented Kiwi mare Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor) will step out on the greatest stage for stayers at Flemington on Tuesday, when she contests the A$8 million Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). In the care of highly-respected Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman, Positivity has been racing for less than twelve months, but came a long way in a short period of time as an autumn three-year-old. The Almanzor filly won the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) and finished second in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), before crossing the Tasman and winning the Gr.3 SA…

Guy Heveldt and Emily Murphy are joined by Aidan Rodley and Jayne Ivil for an in depth review of Derby Day from Flemington and key races from New Zealand in the past week. Weigh In, November 3 – YouTube

Peter Lock’s fast-improving sprinter Debit (NZ) (Darci Brahma) collected her third win on the bounce at Trentham on Saturday, winning the On Track 1200 with some authority. The five-year-old by Darci Brahma has appeared at the races on just four occasions, breaking her maiden on June of 2023, and was not seen at the races again until this October, where she returned in winning fashion at Hawera. Stepping up to Rating 75 company, Debit was well-fancied in a compact six-horse contest, closing the $2.50 second-favourite behind Fancypants ($2.40). In the…

The formidable training partnership of Brian and Shane Anderton will be out in force at their local meeting at Wingatui on Tuesday, for the hugely successful meeting run annually on Melbourne Cup Day.  With many first-time or once-a-year racegoers in attendance, following runners from the Anderton team often brings plenty of success as they perform with distinction on their home patch.  “It’s going to be a big day for the stable if the weather improves, as most of our runners are looking for improved track conditions,” Shane Anderton said.  “The…

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