Author: NZRacingDesk

Andrew Bobbin has zero qualms about testing Off His Roca (NZ) (El Roca) in city grade, with the in-form galloper and regular hoop Tom Prebble to head to Flemington on Sunday. The son of El Roca has improved dramatically this campaign, kicking off with a third placing in 0-58 grade and dominantly winning a Benchmark 64 just three starts later. It is the form page of a horse who is relishing his racing and Bobbin is delighted to see him hit his straps over the longer distances this time in.…

Sunday’s Thomas Green Handicap (1600m) at Oamaru could put Southland trainer Lisa Vaughan on a path towards saddling her second Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) runner in the last three years. Vaughan ran accomplished mare Asathought in the time-honoured Riccarton staying showpiece in 2022, finishing a creditable seventh. This year’s edition of the $400,000 New Zealand Cup is looming large on the horizon for Lochnaberry, who Vaughan bought for just $1,400 on Gavelhouse.com in 2019. Lochnaberry has won four of her 21 starts, and she rose to a new level…

Last weekend’s New Plymouth abandonment has forced Allan Sharrock into a change of plans with his Group One winner Ladies Man, who is entered to kick off his seven-year-old season in the H&T Agronomics/Agricom Open (1200m) at Wanganui on Saturday. The Seaton Park (1400m) at New Plymouth was intended to be Ladies Man’s first step along the road to a defence of his title in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 12. With that race washed away and a week lost from the build-up, Sharrock is now…

Saturday will mark the return of racing to Ellerslie Racecourse and last season’s New Zealand Champion Three-Year-Old Orchestral. The now four-year-old mare is unbeaten at the Auckland track in three starts, winning the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (1600m), and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). She subsequently went on to win the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and finished third in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m). Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood have been pleased with the way she has returned, and have given her…

There have been few horses with the consistency of Bradman over the past 12 months, and the versatile galloper will aim to continue that vein of form in Saturday’s Gr.3 Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile (1600m). Since winning the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m) in April, the son of Pins has placed in the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m), Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) and the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m), demanding respect in the Wanganui feature. Trained and co-owned by Roydon Bergerson, Bradman will be ridden by a very in-form…

Mark Oulaghan has moved on from the disappointing outcome of the Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) and is looking forward to an unexpected opportunity with Berry The Cash. The Awapuni trainer has been around the jumping game long enough to not get too despondent when bad luck comes knocking, as it did last weekend at Te Rapa. Berry The Cash had been unbeaten in five lead-up outings over hurdles, including victory in the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) before he was badly hampered by a fallen rival in the Northern and dislodged…

Applications are now open for the 2024 Keith and Faith Taylor Equine Scholarship, which supports the future of New Zealand’s breeders in travelling to Ireland and completing the world-renowned Irish National Stud Diploma Course. This scholarship offers an invaluable opportunity to undertake the internationally-recognised National Stud Diploma in Ireland with an all-expenses paid trip, open to any individual 30 years or under with an interest in furthering their career in the thoroughbred breeding industry. Initially funded by the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the scholarship has…

A return to Caulfield when he was successful on debut is expected to suit Public Attention (NZ) (Written Tycoon). A roomier track and a draw away from the fence are expected to produce an improved performance from Public Attention at Caulfield.  The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper runs in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on Saturday, looking to turn around a disappointing showing at Moonee Valley at his most recent outing.  Public Attention was successful at Caulfield over 1200m on debut in July before finishing fifth to Angel Capital, an opponent on Saturday, in the Listed McKenzie…

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) will return to Moonee Valley for a tilt at a second win in the Feehan Stakes. Lindsay Park has locked in the next start for Mr Brightsideon his path towards the Cox Plate.  The Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on AFL Grand Final Eve, September 27, will be one of two races Mr Brightside has before the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) on October 26.  The Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 12 will be Mr Brightside’s final assignment before Moonee Valley’s showpiece two weeks later.  The Ben, Will…

Te Akau Racing is putting another Group One-winning mare on the market with the auction of Romancing The Moon (NZ) (El Roca) on Gavelhouse Plus. Romancing The Moon was bought by David Ellis for $50,000 from Westbury Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2021, and she turned that into more than $370,000 in stakes from a high-class career. “She was an outstanding racehorse for Te Akau, particularly as a three-year-old filly,” Ellis said. “I knew from the moment I saw her during yearling inspections that she was going to be…