Smart middle-distance three-year-old King Of Thunder (NZ) (Tivaci) will get another chance at Classic success following a strong second-up victory in the Bisley Workwear Handicap (1900) at Rosehill on Saturday for trainer John O’Shea and Tom Charlton. The son of Tivaci (AUS) was beaten just over four lengths when seventh in the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) in the spring having placed in the Gr.2 Vase (2040m) at The Valley and will target next month’s Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m). Ridden by Zac Lloyd, King Of Thunder came from midfield on the…
Author: NZRacingDesk
Orlov seals winning double for Haworth
Consistent galloper Orlov (NZ) (Sweynesse) picked up his ninth career victory when he took out the feature event on the Wanganui card, the Carpet Maintenance & Cleaning Open (2040m), in the process providing trainer David Haworth with a winning double on the day. The seven-year-old son of Sweynesse had enjoyed a purple patch of form towards the end of his autumn campaign last season and early in his current preparation he was narrowly beaten by Group One performer Whangaehu (NZ) (Proisir) in the Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m). Unplaced at his…
Thompson off the mark with stable stalwart Bankers Choice
Venerable galloper Bankers Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) provided a feel-good story for all concerned when he became trainer Glen Thompson’s first solo victor since the recent shock passing of his co-trainer Mike Moroney. The seven-year-old son of Mongolian Khan proved too good for his rivals in a tactical five-horse field when scoring a comfortable three-quarters of a length victory in the DCE Handicap (2400 METRES). Under the guidance of jockey Daniel Stackhouse, Bankers Choice sat outside leader Le Don De Vie (Leroidesanimaux) and applied pressure from the 600m to establish…
Love Poem prevails in tight tussle at Tauranga
Classy three-year-old Love Poem (Snitzel) overcame a wide barrier draw and her tenacious stablemate I’m All In (NZ) (Zoustar) to score fresh-up at Tauranga in the J Swap Contractors 3YO (1200m). The Stephen Marsh-prepared filly hadn’t been seen since finishing a meritorious fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton back in November last year. Given a decent summer break by Marsh, the Group One placed daughter of Snitzel was fitted for her raceday return when finishing hard held in behind Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) and…
Riddells share Wanganui win with Mr Mojo Risin’
Trina Riddell and her daughter Amber shared a memorable victory at Wanganui on Saturday when Mr Mojo Risin’ (NZ) (Deep Field) romped home by almost five lengths in the $50,000 Wanganui-Taranaki Racehorse Owners Association Open (1340m). Mr Mojo Risin’ is trained by Andrew Forsman, who had a busy Saturday with runners at both Tauranga and Wanganui. The Cambridge trainer sent his senior staff member Trina Riddell south to oversee the stable’s Wanganui runners. Riddell’s daughter Amber was entrusted with the ride on Mr Mojo Risin’, with her 3kg claim reducing…
War Princess dominant in Wanganui opener
Impressive debut winner War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) made it two from two when she led from go to whoa in the opening event at Wanganui, the Wanganui Insurance Brokers 2YO (1200m). The two-year-old daughter of US Navy Flag looked to have untapped ability when she won over 1000m at Tauherenikau before enhancing that impression with a subsequent trial win at Foxton last month, where she headed home Group Two winner Too Sweet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin). Sent out a warm $2.60 favourite, rider Lily Sutherland bounced her away…
Storming win for Hello Youmzain colt
Stormland struck another winning blow for Cambridge Stud’s exciting young stallion Hello Youmzain. The two-year-old raced right up to trainer Ciaron Maher’s expectations with a tidy victory over 1000 metres on the Kensington track at Randwick on Thursday. Bred by Brendon and Jo Lindsay’s Cambridge Stud, Stormland was offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and was knocked down for A$325,000 to Darby Racing and Deburgh Equine. “He was a ripper of a yearling and Darby were keen on him so I’m rapt,” Maher said. “We’ve got options…
Maher excited to see Jenni back
Trainer Ciaron Maher says he is excited to see former Horse of the Year Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) back at the races. Pride Of Jenni makes her reappearance in the Gr.2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday, just over four months after suffering a bleeding attack. Retirement had been announced for Pride Of Jenni after she finished last in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington in November which came at the end of a hectic spring. Pride Of Jenni won the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley, went to Sydney to finish second in the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m)…
El Vencedor cracks world’s top 10
El Vencedor’s golden run of form has been recognised on the world stage, with the Stephen Marsh-trained gelding rated the 10th joint best galloper in the world in the latest LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. The son of Shocking has been a dominant force in New Zealand, winning his last four races, including the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). His performances haven’t gone unnoticed by the international racing fraternity, with the six-year-old earning an invite from the Hong…
Southern venture pays dividends for Yeun
A trip south to Ashburton on Thursday paid dividends for apprentice jockey Nichola Yuen, with the Hong Kong national scoring her first win in New Zealand aboard the Terri Rae-trained Spot On Time in the Agraforum Growing Innovation (1200m). Jumping well from barrier three, Yuen found an early trail behind pacemaker La Bella Nera where they enjoyed an economical passage before peeling off her back around the final turn. Spot On Time entered a duel down the straight with stablemate South Of Houston, but she showed her tenacity when rallying…