Author: NZRacingDesk

Last year’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) runner-up Malt Time is in firing form ahead of her bid for the title on Saturday, where she will carry apprentice jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll in his debut Group One ride. Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, who train the daughter of Adelaide out of Byerley Park, afforded the same opportunity to Lily Sutherland last December in the Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham, where the pair finished an impressive third. Lawson-Carroll has been indentured to the Clotworthy’s since commencing his apprenticeship and has established a…

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and Pride Of Jenni are set to face off again in the Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley. Trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes have decided to tackle three opponents in the Group 2 race over 1600m at Moonee Valley on Friday night.  J D Hayes said the decision to run was made as Friday night’s race fits in best with their intention of heading to the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 26.  The Hayes brothers are after redemption in the Cox Plate having been beaten by Hong…

Tony McEvoy can’t explain it, but he’s certain his talented galloper Rue De Royale (NZ) (Per Incanto) has a different strut after breaking his maiden at his ninth start at Bendigo. Prior to the hollow win over 1300m, Rue De Royale was considered Australia’s best maiden galloper as in his previous eight starts, he had earned $650,000 and finished second three times in the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes, the $1 million Golden Gift and the $2m Inglis Millenium. In the Bendigo race, John Allen took Rue De Royale…

Skew Wiff’s (NZ) (Savabeel) quest to double her winning tally at the highest level hasn’t been helped at Hastings by an awkward gate. The high-class daughter of Savabeel is likely to need luck to fall her way if she is to add Saturday’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) to her record that features victory in last season’s Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy. Skew Wiff was game when fourth in her defence of that title on the opening day of the carnival and has done well since, but barrier 12 has done her…

Teddy Ladouceur has added his name to the growing list of successful expat Mauritian jockeys in New Zealand when riding home his first winner at Phar Lap Raceway on Wednesday. The 29-year-old hoop was confident from the jump aboard Strong (NZ) (Highly Recommended)  in the Equine Veterinary Services Maiden 2200, taking the gelding straight to the front where they dictated terms throughout. Strong came under pressure in the concluding stages but responded to the urgings of Ladouceur to win by a neck over Our Princess Boot. “It was amazing to…

Stephen Marsh believes the El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) that is heading to Hastings for Saturday’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) is barely recognisable as the same horse that has competed during the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival in previous seasons. The son of Shocking was very much a work in progress when he lined up in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) on this day three years ago. Stepping straight into stakes company only two weeks after his maiden win at Taupo, he finished at the tail of the field behind…

Talented mare Casino Princess (NZ) (Casino Prince) has been retired from racing. The six-year-old daughter of Casino Prince has been a model of consistency for her trainer Cliff Goss, winning six of her 13 starts, highlighted by an impressive victory in the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m) in June. Earlier this month, the mare demonstrated all of her class to win an open mile at Matamata, but the race ended up being her swansong after bleeding for the second time in a limited racing career. “She bled in training and it…

Well-performed short course specialist Wewillrock (NZ) (El Roca) gets a gilt-edged opportunity to add to his record on Friday as the end of his current campaign draws to a close. The son of El Roca will drop back from stakes company when he steps out in the Risk Management Group Handicap (1200m) at Te Rapa with apprentice Liam Kauri’s 3kg claim benefitting his cause. Wewillrock also has a strong record on the course with three victories and a third placing in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) to his credit.…

Former jumps jockey Alan Browne can now add winning trainer to his resume after Captain Upham (NZ) (War Decree) broke through for his maiden win in the Palamountains Scientific Animal Nutrition Maiden 1600 at Phar Lap Raceway on Wednesday. The five-year-old son of War Decree had three prior starts for Browne, for two placings, and he was rapt to get the win at the mid-week meeting. “We knew there was going to be a bit of pace on. Kin (Kwo) gave him a peach of a ride, he didn’t panic,…

Phillip Stokes acknowledges Climbing Star (NZ) (Zoustar) will be stepping up to another level when she runs in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at weight-for-age on Friday night at The Valley, but he’s upbeat about her chances. So much so that he’s giving a good push for punters who like value. “She’s 50-1 in the betting and I can see her running in the top four,” Stokes said. Last preparation, Stokes decided to keep Climbing Star to sprint races and this strategy paid off handsomely as she elevated herself to…