Author: NZRacingDesk

A forced change of plan with a daughter of Dubawi has produced another success story for Sydney breeder Warwick Doughty. He initially sent his mare Pouter to Cambridge Stud to be mated with Roaring Lion, only for the multiple Group One-winning son of Kitten’s Joy to tragically succumb to colic. Doughty then decided on Contributor as a suitable replacement and Saturday’s Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) winner Kiwi Skyhawk is the profitable outcome. “It’s great for the mare, she’s a funny mare and has only got one ovary and I’m very…

Donna Logan recorded her first win since moving back to New Zealand when Larius Lacus took out the Waikato/BOP Racehorse Owners Maiden 1400 at Tauranga on Sunday. Based in Singapore for seven years, Logan returned to New Zealand late last year after racing ceased in the racing jurisdiction, and she has been in a rebuilding phase at her new base in Byerley Park. While in Singapore, Logan struck up a good association with Ben Kwok, with the prominent breeder and owner vowing to support her on her return to New…

Promising three-year-old stayer Lucan will join his stablemate Chattahoochee in feature races at Ellerslie next month after collecting an eye-catching maiden victory at Tauranga on Sunday. Te Awamutu horsewoman Debbie Sweeney lined up three runners in the Mills Reef Maiden (2100m), with Lucan the second-elect of her string in the market behind Protheatrics. The son of Proisir brought good form into the race and regular rider Joe Doyle managed him well in the early stages, getting the diminutive gelding to settle near the tail of the field. Denver controlled the…

Delivering a chilling reminder of his extraordinary talent, Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) posted his 11th consecutive victory with a blistering display in the HK$5.35 million Gr.2 Sprint Cup (1200m) to crown Zac Purton’s return to race riding at Sha Tin on Sunday. The world’s highest-rated sprinter, Ka Ying Rising (128lb) demolished his opposition with familiar nonchalance to score by three lengths from Helios Express and Lucky With You in 1m 08.18s after being eased down by Purton with 100m to go. After stalking California Spangle to the 400m, Ka…

The future is looking bright for Andrew Forsman’s two-year-olds, with sharp gelding The Espy (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) defeating stablemate Belle Noire (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) in the Saddlery Warehouse Cambridge and Tauranga (1100m) on Sunday. After a smart trial victory at Ellerslie in mid-February, The Espy was a warm favourite to repeat that performance at Waverley on debut, but was caught three-wide throughout and finished fifth behind Pacific Breeze. Three weeks later, The Espy travelled to Tauranga and remained a short-priced favourite, albeit drifting late in the betting…

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable will have both the resuming Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit) and comeback galloper Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj) in the Gr.3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) on Saturday. Ayrton won the race in 2023 and has had one run back from a near 12-month break, while Globe will be first-up off a spell having last raced in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) in December. Both horses had an exhibition gallop between races at Sandown last Wednesday with the gallop being more beneficial for Globe with Ayrton there…

Livid Sky (NZ) (Proisir) was among the best of New Zealand’s staying fillies as a three-year-old and she is coming right back into that form this campaign, winning the Pyramid Trucking (2200m) at Te Aroha on Saturday. The Stephen Autridge-trained mare placed in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) and Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) last term and had a quieter spring, but a step back up to 2000m in early March was all she needed to return to the winner’s circle.…

Guy, Emily & Jayne review the last Group 1 racing day of the domestic season. We’re joined by Michael McNab as he breaks back into the Group 1 winning circle. We also look across the ditch to review Alabama Lass winning at Flemington and much more. Weigh In, March 30

Smart four-year-old First Five (NZ) (Almanzor) continued his stellar form with a powerful display to win Saturday’s Capistrano Lodge 1400 at Te Aroha. The son of Almanzor showed early promise and was tested over middle-distance trips in his three-year-old and early four-year-old campaigns, but since reverting back to six and seven furlongs, he has been near unbeatable for Te Rapa trainer David Greene. Since mid-December, First Five had won or placed in every appearance, including a close second last-start to subsequent Listed Flying Handicap (1400m) placegetter December at Matamata. Greene…

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