Pin up boy El Vencedor signed off his latest local campaign with the final leg of a winning Group One treble when he downed gallant mare La Crique in a thrilling finish to the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. El Vencedor or EV as he is now affectionately known had added the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) to his career record at his previous two starts and was shooting for a final local accolade before heading to Hong Kong next…
Author: NZRacingDesk
Provence a dual Group One winner after Breeders’ Stakes upset
Eight weeks after celebrating what they thought was a career pinnacle in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham, the connections of blue-blooded mare Provence were treated to something even more special in Saturday’s Gr.1 HKJC World Pool New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie. The fillies and mares’ feature carried a stake of $600,000 and was one of four Group Ones on a star-studded Champions Day card. Provence earned her time in the spotlight with a stunning $30 upset over the $1.30 favourite, New Zealand’s highest-rated mare Legarto.…
Alabama Lass Melbourne-bound after King’s Plate romp
Ken and Bev Kelso bought Alabama Lass in Melbourne as a yearling two years ago, and a stunning performance in Saturday’s Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie has them plotting a return. The $250,000 sprint feature on Champions Day was a rematch of the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) in January, where Crocetti defeated Alabama Lass by a short head. Alabama Lass had a weight swing in her favour on Saturday and jumped as a $1.70 favourite to turn the tables, and she delivered in style. Alabama Lass broke sharply…
Dee makes winning return to New Zealand
Ex-pat Kiwi rider Michael (Mick) Dee gained early success on his latest race day return to his homeland when he guided favourite Island Life to victory in the Gr. 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie. Dee, who plies in his trade in Melbourne these days after spending his formative years in New Zealand, had been engaged to partner race favourite Willydoit in the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) later on the card and got his day off to a great start with a superb effort…
Return To Conquer brings up Te Akau Racing milestone
Expensive colt Return To Conquer extended his unbeaten record to four as he brought up a significant milestone for the Te Akau Racing operation when winning the Gr. 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. The son of Snitzel was bought by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for A$1.3 million as a yearling on the Gold Coast in January of last year and his latest success made it 100 Group One wins for Ellis and his team at Te Akau Racing. Starting a warm $2.10 Fixed Odds favourite, Return To…
Guineas a fork in the road for Linebacker
Left with more questions than answers after the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m), Linebacker‘s (NZ) (Super Seth) trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton are focusing on the three-year-old’s pleasing work at home as the best guide to his Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) prospects. Following a solid first-up performance in the Gr.3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m), Linebacker turned in a head-scratching effort in the Hobartville when he drifted back in the field and never seriously threatened, finishing sixth and more than three lengths from winner Broadsiding. Tom Charlton admits the stable has ben unsure what to make of the run but cannot…
Island Life to add to family’s big week
Promising filly Island Life could cap a big week for one of Pencarrow Stud’s families when she lines up as favourite for the Gr.3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Island Life is by Vadamos out of the Montjeu mare Lycia, whose half-sister Corinthia is the dam of last Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) winner Feroce. Pencarrow principal Sir Peter Vela retained Island Life to race in his familiar blue and white hooped colours, and she has been a big mover in Final Field betting…
Favourite in prime order for NZB Kiwi bid
Per Incanto’s son Evaporate is ready to fulfil expectations and complete a memorable New Zealand feature race double for brothers Ben, Will and JD Hayes. He has headed betting for the $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m) since he was confirmed in early January by slot holder Entain as their representative in the inaugural running of the age group event. The three-year-old will bid to emulate older stablemate Here To Shock, who was sent across the Tasman by the Lindsay Park operation last month to romp to victory in the…
Te Akau hold strong hand on Champions Day
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson will head to Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday with a number of leading prospects, and the country’s leading trainers are looking forward to being a part of the monumental meeting. The 10-race card will include eight stakes races, three at Group One level, and the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), and Bergerson said it will be a landmark day for New Zealand racing. “It is a ground-breaking day in terms of the history of New Zealand racing,” he said. “It…
Marsh’s El Vencedor earns top Ellerslie billing
Stephen Marsh has given the high flying El Vencedor the nod as his best chance of landing a winning blow at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Cambridge trainer is well-represented in the Champions’ Day features but finds it hard to go past the in-form son of Shocking in his bid to add the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) to his record. El Vencedor is chasing his third top-flight title on the bounce following successes in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m). “I think…