Having been left in the paddock waiting to be picked up for a career in the equestrian field, Prix De Turn (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) is making a comeback to the racetrack. Having not raced since the Yarra Valley Cup (1968m) in March last year, Prix De Turn heads to the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. A rising seven-year-old, Prix De Turn has only two wins to his credit, including the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley, from 18 career starts, but has always displayed plenty of talent. Prix De…
Author: NZRacingDesk
Fresh Kosciuszko takes trip to Caulfield
Trainer Dan Meagher is banking on fresh legs with his former Singapore champion Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) when he runs at Caulfield. Lim’s Kosciuszko is coming back in distance from 1400m four weeks ago to contest the Gr.3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) on Saturday. Meagher is banking on Lim’s Kosciuszko’s proven ability and lining up in a weight-for-age race on Saturday as being pivotal to the gelding’s chances. Lim’s Kosciuszko won 22 of his 30 starts in Singapore and Hong Kong and has raced twice in Australia, finishing third first-up at Flemington before a midfield finish at…
Chantilly Lace chases Hawera breakthrough
Chantilly Lace will attempt to cap a series of eye-catching efforts with a return to the winners’ circle in the Scott Roberts @ Metcalfe Real Estate Handicap (1600m) at Hawera on Saturday. The stakes-performed U S Navy Flag mare has gone winless in 10 starts since taking out a 1600m Rating 75 at Wanganui at the end of November, but her recent performances have been full of merit. She has produced strong finishes for fourth in the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui on May 31, fifth in the…
Fourty Eight to continue the ride for Frac Club and Fannins
The Frac Club’s partnership with trainers Shaun and Hazel Fannin is off to a stellar start through rising steeplechase star Jesko, and up-and-comer Fourty Eight will attempt to add to that run in Sunday’s Cody Singer Memorial (4000m) at Woodville. The Frac Club is an emerging micro-share syndicator that rose to prominence earlier this year through the deeds of three-year-old filly Zormella, who won two of her five starts and was runner-up in the Gr.3 Championship Stakes (2100m). The group has extended its reach into the winter months by purchasing…
Stable Puntin on winning run continuing
Bjorn Baker’s consistent three-year-old gelding Puntin will contest the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday as he looks to further embellish an already impressive record. With four wins and two seconds from six starts, Puntin has quickly established himself as a rising star in the stable and showed tenacity last start when leading and holding off challengers to secure a narrow win at Rosehill. That was over 1400m and the son of Super Seth is likely to be even better getting out in distance accord to Baker’s…
Bluebood debuts at Ruakaka
Australian-sourced talent has shone brightly among Stephen Marsh’s two-year-olds this season, and that trend could continue when the Cambridge trainer unveils the royally bred Moretothinkabout at Ruakaka on Saturday. Marsh’s juveniles have combined to record eight wins this season, headed by Listed successes by To Cap It All in the Wellesley Stakes (1100m) and Little Black Dress in the Star Way Stakes (1200m). To Cap It All also finished second in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and third in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). Both members of that stakes-winning…
Data surprise on Derby winner’s best trip
Scientific tests have revealed surprising results on the distance aptitude of this season’s star New Zealand staying three-year-old Willydoit. The son of Tarzino produced his peak performance to romp home in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and was transferred to leading trainer Ciaron Maher following a gallant fourth in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m). Willydoit was raced by Byerley Park trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy with Bryan Black and international micro share syndicator MyRacehorse, who all remain in the ownership of the gelding. “I spoke to Ciaron over at…
Campbell looking forward to unwrapping another promising youngster
Andrew Campbell will unveil another exciting youngster at Hawera on Saturday when two-year-old gelding Valvano makes his debut in the Simon Bendall @ Metcalfe Real Estate (1200m). Purchased out of Rich Hill Stud’s 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Campbell, Tommy Heptinstall and Michael Hickmott for $110,000, Valvano has shown a lot of promise and Campbell is excited about his future. “We like the horse, he is above average,” Campbell said. The son of Shocking had his first public outing last month when placing in his…
Oulaghan sticking with proven partnership in Hawke’s Bay feature
An exciting match-up between champion jumper West Coast and rising star Jesko is imminent, but the former’s trainer Mark Oulaghan is sticking with the old firm for the time being, with Shaun Fannin in the saddle in Sunday’s Glenanthony Simmentals Stud Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) at Woodville. Fannin, who trains Jesko in partnership with his wife Hazel Fannin, is the regular rider of both mounts, but Jesko will bypass the Woodville meeting, and Oulaghan opted for the familiarity and experience Fannin provides on the son of Mettre En Jeu. “Shaun’s…
Talented Lazio making most of his chances
Well-related five-year-old Lazio has already won two open handicaps in his brief career and he is a strong hope to add to his record at Hawera on Saturday. The son of Per Incanto will step out in the Property Management Specialist @ Metcalfe Real Estate (1200m) ahead of a sterner test. Due to soundness issues, Lazio has only made eight appearances, but four wins and three placings show he’s inherited a good measure of the family ability. “He’s had knee trouble with bone chips and different things and if he…