Author: NZRacingDesk

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER

Some of Australian racing’s biggest names ramped up their spring campaigns on Monday and Antino (NZ) (Redwood) hinted that maybe he is ready to step into the top echelon with an impressive jumpout at Cranbourne. The Queenslander pressed his Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) claims with a solid hitout against Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai). The leading Horse Of The Year contender won the 800m trial narrowly, but had Antino closing late under little riding from Jamie Kah. The performance affirmed Antino’s liking for the Melbourne way of going and revived Tony Gollan’s hope that he might…

Archaic Smile (Saxon Warrior) held her own among the top juveniles last season and she will kick-off an exciting spring three-year-old campaign in the Taupō Pak ’N’ Save 3YO Fillies (1100m) on Wednesday.    The daughter of Saxon Warrior earned her maiden success at start two last November and her upward trajectory continued, winning the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) and finishing less than a length of star filly Velocious (Written Tycoon) when second in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m).   A commendable fourth in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) completed…

Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking), New Zealand’s leading hope for this year’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), has been ruled out of spring racing with a tendon strain.  The five-year-old gelding gained automatic entry into the iconic race with victory in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington in March, which followed his placing in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie earlier that month.   Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood were excited about campaigning their charge in Melbourne this spring, however, those dreams have been dashed after the five-year-old pulled up…

The Oaks Stud is hoping Ruakaka’s feature three-year-old event can again provide a springboard to elite level success.  The farm’s colours were carried to victory in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) five years ago and the Cambridge operation again had reason to celebrate a top result after Saturday’s contest.  The Oaks Stud’s young resident sire U S Navy Flag was to the fore with his progressive son So Naïve (NZ) an impressive winner of the event for trainers Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley.  “The Breeders’ Stakes has been a…

Amateur jockey Olivia Helagi was thrilled to notch up her first riding win at Arawa Park on Sunday when guiding the Murray Garrett-trained Impaired Vision (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) to victory in the Patrons Race & Flair Amateur Riders (1950m). The pair were caught three wide in the early stages of the race before Helagi asked her charge to improve at the 800m mark to eventually sit parked outside leader Rodolfo (NZ) (Nom du Jeu). They hit the lead with 200m to go and ran out 3-1/2 length victors on…

Charred’s tough victory in the K.T Myers Racing Stables Steeplechase (3500m) at Rotorua marked a number of firsts for trainer Paul Mirabelli and jockey Corey Wiles. Based out of Cambridge, Mirabelli has enjoyed success in the hurdle role including the 2021 Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3100m) with The Midnight Shift, but was yet to score with a representative over the bigger fences until Sunday’s contest. Charred (NZ) (Guillotine) had been a work in progress for Mirabelli and often mixed his jumping in previous starts, but put on a much more professional…

Catherine Cameron’s stayer Raajoices (NZ) (Iffraaj) was back in the winner’s circle in dominant fashion at Rotorua on Sunday, claiming the Terry Fitzpatrick Memorial (2200m). A son of Iffraaj, Raajoices had been finishing midfield in races throughout his current campaign, but was truly in his element when striking the heavy ten conditions later in the programme. Trailing the field throughout behind a strong tempo set by Shocking Penny, Jay Kozaczek coped plenty of kick back aboard Raajoices but remained patient, allowing the gelding to sweep around the field effortlessly turning…

The testing track conditions at Rotorua on Sunday posed no issue for Rudy Liefting’s jumpers, with Mont Ventoux and Renegade Fighter securing the two open contests by sizable margins. The Pukekohe Park horseman struck first in the Team Wealleans Hurdle (3000m) with Mont Ventoux (NZ) (Nom de Jeu), a capable seven-win flat performer who has been a model of consistency in the hurdling role with a win and nine placings to his credit. Entering the open contest, Mont Ventoux was rated a $8.10 third-favourite in a market dominated by previously…

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER