Author: NZRacingDesk

There is no time like early spring to start dreaming of Derby glory, and that is the case for connections of impressive Sandown winner Giddy Up Warrior. The son of Saxon Warrior is a graduate of last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale and has been widely promoted through media personality Gareth Hall’s SEN radio show Giddy Up, after which the gelding is named. Prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, Giddy Up Warrior relished getting out to 1500m to prevail as the $2.25 favourite at his third…

Sydney trainer Joe Pride is eyeing some lucrative targets with last weekend’s impressive Rosehill winner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock). The four-year-old gelding has returned from a Classic season which concluded with a runner-up finish in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m), with Pride surprised by the new-found dash from the son of Tavistock. “I wasn’t expecting a performance like that on Saturday, given last preparation he was just grinding away. He’s been sharper in his work, and I thought his trials were very sharp,” Pride told RSN. “It was a little bit…

Co-trainer Katherine Coleman isn’t expecting any first-up fireworks from I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) or Chain Of Lightning when they kick off their respective spring campaigns in Saturday’s Group One Moir Stakes at The Valley. The stablemates are the highest-rated horses in the $750,000 sprint and while their co-trainer concedes their class can carry them a long way, she said they’re being trained to peak later in the spring. I Wish I Win is one of only two horses already locked into an Everest slot next month with the…

Leading rider Blake Shinn has reclaimed the ride aboard Antino (NZ) (Redwood) when the Queenslander goes second-up into the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday week. Trainer Tony Gollan confirmed on Tuesday that Shinn will reacquaint himself with the Memsie Stakes’ fourth placegetter at Flemington, after a somewhat luckless run for Jamie Kah at Caulfield, where he finished three-and-a-half lengths adrift of the winner Pinstriped. Shinn has ridden Antino three times in the past for a Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) win and a Gr.1 Toorak Handicap…

Champion trainer Ciaron Maher said he is confident Pride Of Jenni’s much-anticipated spring campaign has not been derailed by a minor elevated temperature. Pride Of Jenni has emerged from her unplaced Gr.1 Memsie Stakes run with an imperfect blood picture, but Maher said that while her tests indicate a possible minor virus of some kind, her symptoms were mild and she appears to be bright just a few days after the race. “Her bloods have come back not perfect, but OK,” Maher said on Tuesday afternoon. “They (bloods) were very…

There is plenty of anticipation heading into Matamata’s Wednesday meeting, with local trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley set to unveil exciting filly Gossip (NZ) (Proisir). The daughter of Proisir topped last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Online Yearling Sale when purchased out of Fairdale Stud’s draft by Gary Harding for $110,000, and she is living up to her billing so far, winning both of her trials to date. She is set to make her debut in the Pam Gerard – Ballymore Racing 1200, for which she is rated a $1.65 favourite…

Te Akau trainer Mark Walker joined Racing Pulse on Tuesday morning after Quintessa’s impressive win in the Cockram in Melbourne and four winners in New Zealand on Saturday. 

Matamata horsewoman Chelsea Burdan will line-up her first runner as a trainer this week, albeit a few years earlier than anticipated. The 23-year-old former jockey’s riding career was cut short three years ago through injury, and while disappointed she can no longer compete in the saddle, she is looking forward to trying her hand at another aspect of the industry. “It (training) is something that I have always wanted to do, as well as being a jockey,” Burdan said. Burdan recorded 63 wins in the saddle over four seasons before…

This week on the Guerin report, Michael sits down with James McDonald in a two part interview to discuss his career, his wins from around the world, his best horses, and the period that changed his life. Plus we look ahead to the Hawke’s Bay Spring Racing Carnival. Guerin Report – Ep. 1, Ft. James McDonald (youtube.com)

Star youngster Velocious (Written Tycoon) will have the opportunity to redeem herself on a better surface at Hastings on Saturday. Much was expected of the daughter of Written Tycoon when she opened her three-year-old campaign at Taupo last month, but she produced an indifferent display when she trailed in fourth in a five-horse field. Trainer Stephen Marsh is hoping improved underfoot conditions in the Gr.3 HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders’ Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) will turn her fortunes around on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay carnival. “All of her best…