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…
Author: NZRacingDesk
Bargain filly chasing deserved maiden at Wingatui
Promising filly Flash Roca has nearly earned back her purchase price without saluting the judge, and Kelvin Tyler is hoping that can change at Wingatui on Sunday. The daughter of El Roca was spotted at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales by Tyler and his sons, and at just $6,000 she was an inexpensive purchase for the Southland family. After underperforming on debut in September, Flash Roca has returned strongly in the new year, placing behind King Palm and more recently, last Sunday at Gore behind Pull The…
Coeur Volante bidding for emotional Coolmore result
High-class mare Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir) will be out to deliver an emotional Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) win for connections just over two weeks after the death of her popular trainer Michael Moroney. The Melbourne Cup-winning horseman died in his sleep last month after recently making a training comeback following a serious battle with illness. His training partner Glen Thompson will saddle up Coeur Volante in Saturday’s Rosehill feature and says the mare has continued to please the stable since her sweeping four-length win in last month’s Gr.2 Mannerism Stakes…
Hasstobeawinner Earns Shot at Group Two Glory
Talented gelding Hasstobeawinner (NZ) (Vadamos) has lived up to his name this preparation and will be tested for the first time in Group company in Saturday’s Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga. The son of Vadamos had always shown promise and was rewarded for consistency with a lucrative prize in the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final, an effort he only improved off to finish second behind the airborne El Vencedor in the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m). In preparation for the Tauranga feature, Hasstobeawinner carried the top-weight at…
Powers of Opal out to stake Oaks claims
Expat Kiwi John Sargent is noted as a trainer of staying fillies and two of the Randwick conditioner’s leading Oaks hopefuls will be given the chance to showcase their wares this week. Stablemates Powers Of Opal (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Inevitable Truth (Fastnet Rock) both have the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) as their carnival goal but the pair will take different paths towards it. Powers Of Opal will have her next start in Saturday’s Gr.2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill before heading to the blue riband via the Gr.1…
Injury Cuts Short Promising Juvenile’s Season
Daylight Robbery (NZ) (Super Seth) has given owner-trainer Gavin Sharrock an exciting ride this season, but it has come to a premature end after the son of Super Seth sustained a muscle strain this week. Set to contest the Wanganui Insurance Brokers 2YO 1200 on Saturday, for which he was a $3 favourite, Daylight Robbery will now head to the spelling paddock in preparation for a three-year-old preparation. “He galloped really well on Tuesday and then yesterday (Wednesday) when we went to work him, he was a bit sore in…
You Say D’Orsay Set for Easter Handicap Target
You Say D’Orsay (NZ) (Under The Louvre) will continue his path towards next month’s Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie when he heads to Tauranga on Saturday to contest the Stu Cundy Bayleys Country & Lifestyle 1400. The Under The Louvre four-year-old has finished fourth in his last two outings, including the $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie in January, and trainer Chris Wood believes his gelding can figure in the finish this weekend. “He is really good, I am really happy with him,” the Cambridge conditioner said. …
Herbert poised to go out on a high
In-form four-year-old Herbert (NZ) (Sweet Orange) will end an already lucrative campaign at Tauranga on Saturday before a break, with plans to travel further afield later in the year. The John Wheeler-prepared representative will shoot for four wins on the bounce in the Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m) to draw to a close a preparation that has seen him justify his trainer’s belief. Herbert has recently been successful at Wanganui and Matamata and in between times, claimed the thick end of the stake on his home track at New…
Stud career beckons Acquarello
Quality mare Acquarello (Written Tycoon) has been retired from racing after sustaining an injury in last Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and will now join the broodmare band at Trelawney Stud. The five-year-old daughter of Written Tycoon amassed five victories and five placings from 17 starts, in a career highlighted by victory in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) in the spring. Trained by Tony Pike for Trelawney Stud, Acquarello finished a strong second to New Zealand’s top-rated racehorse, Legarto, in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes…
Elite-Level Targets on the Horizon for Tajana
Group One targets are in the offing for Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma) after she broke through for her maiden win in the AKW Farrier LTD 2YO (1200m) at Matamata on Wednesday. All eyes were on sale-topping juvenile Hostility ahead of the race, with the $1.65 million Karaka purchase jumping a short-priced $1.30 favourite, but it was The Oaks Stud-bred and raced Tajana who came out on top. The daughter of Darci Brahma jumped well from her ace draw before settling three back on the rail where she enjoyed and economical…