Author: NZRacingDesk

Ken and Bev Kelso have a knack for unearthing quality fillies, and they may have another one on their hands in Levakia (NZ) (Proisir), who broke through for her maiden win in impressive fashion in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1400 at Pukekohe Park on Wednesday. She was only fair away and drifted back to sit at the rear of the field for jockey Sam Spratt, where they remained throughout. Turning for home, the pair had all before them, but Spratt was able to navigate a path through the pack and Levakia…

Talented young jockey Liam Riordan is set to return to New Zealand in November following a successful visit there last Saturday. Riordan recorded a double at Ashburton in partnership with Te Akau’s Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, a connection that came up through his association with Ben Gleeson, Te Akau’s Melbourne-based assistant trainer. “It was a good experience, obviously had good success and I’m open to going again,” Riordan reflected. Riordan will further enhance that Te Akau relationship by riding for them during the New Zealand Cup Carnival next month.…

In-form mare Joliestar has been a centre of interest on more than one front heading into Saturday’s A$20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Randwick.  The Cambridge Stud representative was handed a perfect gate in four at Tuesday’s barrier draw, with the Chris Waller-trained daughter of Zoustar firming into a $7 third favourite.  Joliestar’s owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay have also been fending off sizeable offers to purchase the mare, but the not for sale sign is firmly in place.  “We’ve fielded some pretty substantial offers, really big money, but…

New Zealand-bred galloper Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree) will take his place among some of Australia’s elite stayers in Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in Melbourne. The Caulfield Cup has been a happy hunting ground for the Kiwis, with wonder mare Verry Elleegant and the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Mongolian Khan succeeding in the iconic race in recent times. Warmonger, a son of Inglewood Stud sire War Decree, was privately sold to Australian syndicators OTI Racing following a trial victory at Ashburton in April 2023 for initial trainers…

Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini), who races as Mister Wolfgang in Australia, was given a pass mark by trainers Peter and Shaun McKay following his Australian debut when sixth in the Gr.2 Hebert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield last Saturday. The six-year-old gelding was ridden conservatively by expat Kiwi hoop Mick Dee, but was strong late when coming from the back of the field to finish a game sixth, much to the satisfaction of his trainers. “Drawn wide (12), he got flushed out three-wide most of the way and he kept losing…

Local trainers Brian and Shane Anderton hold a strong hand heading into Wingatui’s Friday meeting, headlined by Group Three winner Burgie (NZ) (Ghibellines).  The six-year-old mare is set for a date with White Robe Lodge resident stallion Ancient Spirit this spring and her trainers are hoping there is a win or two left in the daughter of Ghibellines before she retires to the broodmare paddock.  Bred by Brian Anderton and his late wife Lorraine, Burgie is raced by the respected horseman with BJ’s Southern Syndicate, and has gone onto win…

David Hayes is eager to test Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) in Sunday’s (20 October) HK$5.35 million Gr.2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin, although the dual Hong Kong Champion Trainer remains wary of an imposing California Spangle threat. The 119-rating Ka Ying Rising is one of Hong Kong’s hottest young sprinters. The four-year-old bossed rivals first-up with top-weight (135lb) in the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) on rain affected ground at Sha Tin last month. The son of Shamexpress meets reigning Hong Kong Champion Sprinter…

A more suitable preparation has I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) co-trainer Peter Moody eagerly looking forward to his elite sprinter’s second shot at The Everest this Saturday in Sydney. I Wish I Win was beaten narrowly into second place in the race 12 months ago, but Moody explained in an interview with Southside Racing that the horse has enjoyed a strong lead-up this year to the A$20 million race after coming in in 2023. “The races were run to suit better this year,” Moody said. “He was able to…

Quality mare Islington Lass (NZ) (Proisir) sounded a warning to her rivals in next Sunday’s Gr.3 Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) with a commanding performance at the Foxton trials on Tuesday. Guided by local apprentice Lily Sutherland, Islington Lass settled in the trailing position from her inside gate, cruising through the opening 800m before hitting the lead in the straight and pulling away comfortably in the finish to take out the 1200m heat. Allan Sharrock, who trains Islington Lass out of New Plymouth, had initially planned to…

Ciaron Maher says Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) could not be going any better as she returns to the scene of her most devastating win this weekend. The superstar mare heads to Randwick to contest the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m), her first run in Sydney since her demolition win in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at the course in autumn. “It’s exciting,” trainer Ciaron Maher said. “It doesn’t matter where you run her, it’s exciting every time you take her to the races.” The seven-year-old daughter…