Author: NZRacingDesk

For just the second time in his 40-year training career, Howie Mathews is currently winless for the season, something he is looking to change when he heads to Awapuni’s synthetic meeting on Thursday. “We haven’t trained a winner this season, which is quite unusual for us. We would like to change that and if it could happen tomorrow that would be nice,” he said. The Otaki horseman will have three chances to correct his plight, headlined by a two-pronged attack in the Spray Specialist LTD 2140, courtesy of Weneedashock and…

Foxton trainer Suzy Gordon has enjoyed a good run of success in the tried horse market and has welcomed another well-performed newcomer to her stable. Gordon’s latest acquisition is Turn The Ace, a multiple winner from Andrew Forsman’s stable who recently changed hands on the Gavelhouse platform for $9,750 to dissolve the syndicate that raced the son of Turn Me Loose. “The best part is that he’s all ready to go and will have a quiet trial at Foxton next week over 800m,” Gordon said. “We’re obviously learning about him,…

The New Zealand thoroughbred breeding community will come together on Saturday July 26 to celebrate another year of excellence at the Property Brokers National Breeding Awards at the Sir Don Rowlands Centre in Cambridge. The evening will acknowledge 24 individual winners of 37 Group One races as breeders can again take pride in the global success of horses with the NZ suffix. Recently crowned Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) and Australian star Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) will be among the leading contenders for the…

It was a red-letter day at Hawera on Tuesday for Gavin Sharrock, with the Stratford trainer posting his first treble.  “It was a big day, I haven’t had one of them (treble) before, I have never had enough horses to win three on a day, but I have had a couple of doubles,” Sharrock said.  His exciting juvenile Spandeedo (NZ) (Ferrando) kicked off proceedings when dominating his rivals to score a 2-3/4 length victory in the Simon Bendall @ Metcalfe Real Estate (1200m) and in the process booked his berth…

Stephen Nickalls might be heading home from Hawera with a smile on his face, but he could be in a bit of trouble when he gets there.  Nickalls’ Group One performer Chase (NZ) (Zed) returned to the winner’s circle on Tuesday when taking out the Scott Roberts @ Metcalfe Real Estate (1600m), but there was someone special missing from the winning photo, his daughter Mya, who is the rising nine-year-old’s biggest fan.  Mya was set to be trackside for the race on Saturday, but adverse weather and track conditions forced…

It was early last spring when Hit The Road Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) almost pulled off a remarkable life-changing plunge, but there are no such lofty expectations as he returns to Flemington on Saturday. Last September, the former Kiwi galloper, who was purchased by Symon Wilde and owners to become a jumper, was backed from $41 to start at $19 before running a half-length second in the Group 2 Archer Stakes (2500m), a race where the winner is exempt from the ballot for the Melbourne Cup. But this time around, he…

Evergreen galloper Tavis Court (NZ) (Tavistock) had won a race in every season of his career since he debuted as a three-year-old, and at the tail end of his nine-year-old year, he kept that remarkable streak alive at Hawera on Tuesday. Lining up in a compact field of just four runners, Tavis Court was the $13.50 outsider, with the lightly tried Lazio backed as though nearly unbeatable, closing at $1.20. In the hands of Kate Hercock, Tavis Court was the quickest out of the barriers and full of running early,…

Chris Wood joined Racing Pulse with Michael Felgate to reflect on Smug’s victory on Sunday, where he had a stirring battle down the final straight with star jumper, West Coast. Smug was tough to win the Hawkes Bay Steeplechase on Sunday – Racing Pulse with Michael Felgate – Omny.fm

Emily Murphy brings you Winter Weigh In, your place for Thoroughbred racing news, reviews and insights throughout the colder months. We review the best races of the weekend and Shaun Fannin joins the show to compare West Coast to Jesko. Winter Weigh In, July 14

Andrew Forsman is hoping the younger members of his stable can make their mark in the new season’s age group events.  The Cambridge trainer is blessed with an array of youthful talent, both raced and unraced, although he is mindful of the challenges that lay ahead.  In the immediate future, he also has two strong chances at Avondale on Wednesday with Rio Grande (NZ) (Vadamos) and Eloise (NZ) (Iffraaj) primed to advance his tally of 55 winners in the 2024/25 term, his best since the retirement of former training partner…