Author: NZRacingDesk

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable is banking on a drop back to mares’ grade being beneficial for Expressiveness (NZ) (Shamexpress) at her second start in Australia.  The former New Zealand-trained mare under the name Express Yourself, heads to the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday after a pleasing first-up run at the track on August 17.  Expressiveness finished third, beaten 1-¼ lengths, behind the Ben, Will and J D Hayes-trained Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel).  “She was very good first-up, very brave, but was beaten by a better horse on the day and the Hayes boys have got…

Despite the challenges posed by New Zealand’s weather and track conditions at this time of the year, Cambridge trainer Tony Pike believes his multiple black-type performer Poetic Champion is ready to kick off his three-year-old season at Hastings next weekend. The final piece of that puzzle fell into place with a 950m trial on Cambridge’s synthetic track on Friday, which Poetic Champion won by a length and a quarter. He was ridden by Matt Cartwright and beat a line-up that included talented older rivals Tossuforit, Cornelia and Val Di Zoldo.…

Stephen Marsh is building towards the second and third days of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival with a bit more confidence after a pleasing trial by El Vencedor on the Cambridge synthetic track on Friday. El Vencedor was one of last season’s breakout stars, improving throughout a 10-start campaign that began in August and culminated in a superb victory in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie in March. The son of Shocking also won the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) and finished second in the Gr.1 Thorndon…

A poor barrier draw has dented the confidence of the Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson stable as they prepare Banker’s Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) towards a Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) start.  Banker’s Choice heads to the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield on Saturday, his second outing back after missing an autumn campaign.  The stable was pleased with Banker’s Choice’s first-up run under Damian Lane in the Gr.2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) and are eyeing the rise in trip on Saturday as being beneficial.  Moroney and Thompson combined for their first victory together at Sandown during the week, but Saturday’s poor…

Former champion jockey Brent Thomson does not envy those who will be taking on Australia’s latest darling of the turf Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) this spring.  Pride Of Jenni makes her return in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, the official opening meeting of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.  Thomson won four Cox Plates from his first four rides in the race during in the 1970’s, including three in a row, before heading to Europe for a successful career.  Returning to Australia, Thomson won countless feature races and rode against Vo Rogue (Ivor Prince), who like…

Saturday’s Riccarton meeting is shaping up to be a busy afternoon for dual licenceholder Samantha Wynne. Wynne has rides in six of the nine races, including four that she trains herself – Let Me Loose, Peecee Pussycat, Iffin Doubt Dance and Zacat. Wynne has a small team in work at her Prebbleton base and has trained 10 winners since taking out her licence in the 2021-22 season. Seven of those wins have come in the last 12 months alone, including Peecee Pussycat’s back-to-back successes in his last two appearances. The…

Progressive sprinter Spencer gets a chance to redeem himself at Wanganui on Saturday and add to his burgeoning record. The son of Derryn will bid for further open class honours when he steps out in the Balance Accountants Handicap (1200m) off the back of a below par last-start effort at Te Rapa. Spencer had been in hot form before heading north and trainer Erin Hocquard had a nagging pre-race doubt that the five-year-old wasn’t his usual self. “Normally, he’s quite perky in the birdcage and on the toe and he…

Elsdon Park are saddened to report the passing of star mare Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel). The triple Group One winning heroine was days away from being covered in Australia by leading stallion Zoustar. For her owners Lib and Katrina Petagna, Lucia Valentina provided some huge thrills. “Lucia Valentina has a special place in our hearts. She was named after our daughter and enabled us to enjoy some phenomenal family events,” recalled Lib Petagna. “The whole family really got behind her and we had a lot of thrills with her. “When…

Group One winner Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) took trainer Jim Wallace and her army of owners on the ride of a lifetime when taking out the New Zealand-Australian Oaks double last year, and just 18 months on the Opaki horseman thinks he might have another filly just as capable. Ardsley Stud filly Merkel (NZ) (Reliable Man) has reminded Wallace a lot of her stable predecessor and she has pleased him when placing in her three trials to date. “I have said several times that she is similar to what Pennyweka…

Elsdon Park are saddened to report the passing of star mare Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel). The triple Group One winning heroine was days away from being covered in Australia by leading stallion Zoustar. For her owners Lib and Katrina Petagna, Lucia Valentina provided some huge thrills. “Lucia Valentina has a special place in our hearts. She was named after our daughter and enabled us to enjoy some phenomenal family events,” recalled Lib Petagna. “The whole family really got behind her and we had a lot of thrills with her. “When…