Author: NZRacingDesk

There aren’t too many accolades missing from expat Kiwi jockey James McDonald’s mantle, but recognition from his home country’s sporting industry has been one, and that has finally been rectified with his announcement as a finalist for the ISPS HANDA Halberg Sportsman of the Year. McDonald, who will end a short-term riding contract in Hong Kong this weekend, has had a year to remember in the saddle, culminating with securing his second LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award in Hong Kong earlier this month, having won the title for the first…

Smokin’ Romans(NZ) (Ghibellines), Herman Hesse and Strawberry Rock will aim to give Ciaron Maher a third Pakenham Cup success. The Ciaron Maher stable will saddle three hopes at it chases back-to-back victories in the Pakenham Cup.  Maher won the 2500m Listed race with Ashrun back in March after the race was not run in 2023 as Racing Victoria tinkered with race dates.  But with the Cranbourne Turf Club and Pakenham Racing Club merging to form Southside Racing and their desire to have a two-day Carnival, the Pakenham Cup is back to a December date, although…

Waikato filly Island Life(NZ) (Vadamos) will return to the Central Districts on Saturday, aiming to go one better than her last Group Three attempt in the Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham. Straight out of maiden company, Island Life fought valiantly to be denied only at the line by Tuxedo in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki in late November, a pleasing performance for her trainers Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie. “She was very brave, she was probably just travelling a bit too well and got there a bit…

Te Akau Racing, the country’s leading stable, has captured some of the biggest prizes in New Zealand racing this year, and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are keen to add their home cup, the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m), to their trophy cabinet on Friday.  “You would love to win your hometown Cup,” Bergerson said.  The stable will have a two-pronged attack in Friday’s feature, including recent New Zealand stable addition Midnight Blue and in-form mare My Lips are Sealed(NZ) (Ace High).  Midnight Blue has had just the…

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM is a man who has dedicated a lifetime of passion and commitment into the New Zealand thoroughbred industry, and is being honoured as an inductee into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. Ellis had his first winner as an owner in 1978 at Paeroa, while Cosmetique, which he purchased and raced, provided his first Group One win in the 1986 Easter Handicap. Since first selling shares in horses he had purchased in 80’s, Ellis has grown Te Akau Racing to become the most…

Dual Group One winner La Crique(NZ) (Vadamos) will bid to add another elite level scalp to her record when she heads to Ellerslie on Boxing Day to tackle the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m).  The daughter of Vadamos came close to adding a third Group One title to her record at Trentham earlier this month but was denied a neck by Ladies Man(NZ) (Zed) in the Mufhasa Classic (1600m).  Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander were pleased with her performance but said they could put their finger on the reasons…

Sam Mynott woke up to a pleasing result from her hospital bed on Wednesday afternoon, with Electron(NZ) (Turn Me Loose) taking out the Stella Artois 1500 Qualifying Race (1600m) at Ruakaka. The Cambridge horsewoman was having thumb surgery whilst her Turn Me Loose mare travelled to the far north, aiming to bounce back into the winner’s circle after fading from a tough three-wide trip at Ellerslie last start. In a compact six-horse field, jockey Joe Doyle allowed Electron to stride forward on to the lead and the race was entirely…

David and Emma-Lee Browne are hoping to continue to make their presence felt on Australian shores during autumn, as exciting three-year-olds Scary(NZ) (Shocking) and Statuario look to build on their spring momentum. The Browne stable has gone from strength to strength since relocating from New Zealand to Pakenham, with the husband-and-wife training team hoping that a run of second placings during the spring will graduate to winners in the coming months. “(I’m) incredibly proud of how the team is going, we just obviously like being bridesmaid quite a lot!” said…

Progressive staying mare Kattegat(NZ) (Redwood) is expected to return to top form at Otaki on Thursday.  The daughter of Redwood has been patiently handled and another major reward beckons the Shaun Fannin and Hazel Schofer-trained six-year-old in the Wheelhouse Sports Bar Horowhenua Christmas Cup (2100m).  Kattegat was an Ellerslie winner two runs back before she was a beaten favourite at Trentham, where she finished midfield from the ace draw, but there is confidence in the camp that she can turn her form around.  “Barrier one doesn’t really work for her…

Former New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart(NZ) (Redwood) is set to head to Trentham on Saturday to kick-off his summer campaign and ready for a Group One assignment at the Upper Hutt track next month.  The son of Redwood was runner-up in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) as a three-year-old before going on to win the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), and trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson are keen to go one better in the Harcourts-sponsored race next month.  He will…