Author: NZRacingDesk

Team Hayes will consider backing Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) up in Saturday’s Gr.1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield after his gutsy performance to win the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Ben Hayes said it was one of three options he will discuss with his co-trainers and brothers Will and JD on Monday morning. “He’s pulled up well and we can consider running in the Underwood Stakes this week,” Ben Hayes said on The Wrap. He said the other options were the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on September…

Leading Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan walked away from Antino’s (NZ) (Redwood) brave third in the Makybe Diva Stakes proud of his run, but still in a quandary as to whether to push on towards a Cox Plate. Gollan said the Cox Plate was still the likely goal, but he was giving consideration to keeping him at 1600 metres. “I’m not certain about 2000 metres. He was out on his feet late, but it might have been the ground and also he had to do the donkey work in chasing Pride…

Lux Libertas (NZ) (Almanzor) continued to make every post a winner at Te Rapa on Sunday, collecting a fourth-consecutive victory in the Waikato Construction 1400 with plenty left in store. Since breaking her maiden in late July, Lux Libertas was unbeatable in her following two starts over 1200m, and punters had every faith a step up to 1400m would pose no issue for the mare, starting her the $2.30 favourite ahead of Fancypants ($4.30). After travelling closer to the speed at her most recent appearance at Matamata, regular rider Warren…

Allan Sharrock’s talented pair of Lazio and Islington Lass demonstrated their class in the open grade contests at Te Rapa on Sunday, with contrasting stakes assignments now on the horizon. The testing conditions at Te Rapa on Sunday caused a myriad of scratchings in the Norris Ward McKinnon 1200, leaving a field of seven where the lowest-rated, but a fast-improving runner in Lazio (NZ) (Per Incanto) burst into short-priced favouritism at $2.50. Alongside his Group Three-performing stablemate Sumi, Lazio was slow away from the barriers but soon ranged three-wide while…

West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) further cemented his status as one of New Zealand’s greatest ever steeplechasers with a stirring defence of his title in the $150,000 Ben & Ryan Foote Racing Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) at Te Rapa on Sunday. Both of West Coast’s Great Northern triumphs have come under gruelling 73kg topweights, and they sit proudly on his mantelpiece alongside his unprecedented three straight wins in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton. All in all, the Williamson family’s jumping marvel has had 15 steeplechase starts for…

Young trainer Dominic Sutton has only been training six months but is hoping to be one of the contenders during the Melbourne Spring Carnival. With five winners to his name from 47 career starters, Sutton is set to start stable favourite Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth) in the Gr.3 Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Feroce gave Sutton his first winner when successful at Pakenham in March and followed up the following month to provide the trainer with a city win at Caulfield. Sutton is still searching for his maiden…

Guy Heveldt, Emily Bosson and Jayne Ivil take a deep dive into the Canterbury Belle Stakes, and the Makybe Diva Stakes. Plus, take a look at the other races from around New Zealand and Australia. Weigh In September 15 (youtube.com)

A stunning come-from-behind performance carried Lord Spencer (NZ) (Zed) to a Peter Kelly – Bayleys Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) upset at Te Rapa on Sunday, handing trainer JJ Rayner and jockey Lemmy Douglas their biggest moments in jumps racing. The seven-year-old Zed gelding flew under the radar into the $150,000 feature, stepping out as a $28.60 outsider against a star-studded field. Lord Spencer had only one previous win to his name from 13 starts over hurdles, although he has made a habit this year of chasing home New Zealand’s benchmark…

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The remarkable story of Kiwi-bred champion Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) rolled into his seven-year-old season with a historic defence of his title in the A$750,000 Gr.1 Crown Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday. The Bullbars gelding became the first back-to-back winner of the weight-for-age feature since it was renamed in honour of the great Makybe Diva in 2007. Under its previous name, the Craiglee Stakes, the repeat winners were Chicquita (Commands) (1950-51) and Sailor’s Guide (1956-57). The 2024 edition of the Makybe Diva Stakes was the seventh Group…