Author: NZRacingDesk

Front-running galloper Shamus (NZ) (Shamexpress) indicated he is on track for another bold showing at Ellerslie when winning his trial comfortably at Avondale on Tuesday. The son of Shamexpress was among the better three-year-old’s of his year winning the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) and placing in the Gr.3 Waikato Guineas (2000m), and went on to place in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) in the following season. At the recommendation of his former trainer Allan Sharrock, Shamus joined the Pukekohe stable of Moira and Kieran Murdoch early this year with the…

Kim Reid has always seen something special in Hi Yo Sass Bomb (NZ) (Complacent), and the mare rewarded her trainer for persistence with an impressive runner-up finish in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Te Rapa last Saturday. A daughter of Complacent, Hi Yo Sass Bomb showed promise in her opening two starts before breaking her wither, keeping her away from the race track for over 12 months. When she returned in mid-2023, the mare flew through the grades, going from breaking her maiden to finishing second in the Gr.3…

This week, Michael sits down with John Messara, six years on from his own report into the racing industry here. So what does he think about the impact it’s had? They also chat about the state of the Aussie landscape, John’s career, and look ahead to the Everest. Guerin Report – Ep. 7, Ft. John Messara (youtube.com)

HBRI (Hawke’s Bay Racing Inc.) and NZTR (New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing) Management have jointly announced today that due to continued concerns around the track’s performance, the decision has been made to bring forward a reconstruction of the track. As a result, racing will not resume at the venue in the immediate future. HBRI Chairman, Eliot Cooper commented, “While this news will be disappointing for the Hawke’s Bay community and racing enthusiasts, both parties believe that prioritising this project is essential for the long-term future of racing in the region.” NZTR…

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Englishman George Rooke is the newest addition to the ever-growing group of international riders in New Zealand. Coming from a small town in Hampshire, Rooke progressed through the well-recognised British Racing School in Newmarket, and under the tutelage of three-time British Champion Jockey and now trainer Richard Hughes, he rode 167 winners and was a dual all-weather (synthetic) champion apprentice. “I lived in a small town called Hook just off the M3, and I got into pony club and eventing side of things first,” Rooke said. “We heard about the…

Mark Baker anticipated Nikau Spur would be a horse that would only improve with time, and he has continued to be proven correct as the evergreen galloper collected the Listed Queensland Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. In the care of Toowoomba trainers Corey and Kylie Geran, Nikau Spur has won five races in the past 18 months, capped off with an impressive effort in the staying feature, much to the delight of his former owner in Baker. “When he got shuffled back to last on the turn, I…

Tony Gollan has long-hailed Antino as the best horse he has put a saddle on and those convictions were well and truly proved correct when the striking near-black galloper trounced his rivals in Saturday’s Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).  The Queensland conditioner will now stick to his original plan of getting the son of Redwood to the Gr.1 Hong Kong International Mile (1600m) on December 8, although the path to the race has altered slightly. The Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on November 9 in now the likely stepping stone…

A star-studded field lined up for the 2024 Sports Toto Supreme Challenge Cup on Sunday and what a race it turned out to be. The rivalry between Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn) and Golden Pegasus has now been put to bed with a victory that left spectators on the edge of their seats when Antipodean came from a hopeless position to win. The Simon Dunderdale runner had no luck in running from a bad draw ,once again, and had to race wide for the majority of the race. Berry Bliss arguably had the run…

Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree) has fallen from favour with many punters in the lead-up to Saturday’s Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), but co-trainer Mick Price remains optimistic about his chances in the $5 million event. The Cranbourne trainer is convinced the rise to 2400 metres will bring out the best in the gelding, who he trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr. The son of War Decree finished resolutely to grab fourth placing in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) first-up but then disappointed when 11th in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on October 5. Price was not…