Author: NZRacingDesk

A return to racing on Awapuni’s grass track is inching ever closer, and it passed its first test for that return following a successful set of trials on the surface on Tuesday. 30 horses line-up over five heats at the track and RACE’s General Manager of Racing Brad Taylor received positive reports at the conclusion of the trial meeting. “The feedback was very positive from the riders,” he said. “As expected with the surface we have, there was a little bit of the sand kicking back, but all-in-all it was…

Emily Murphy brings you Winter Weigh In, your place for Thoroughbred racing news, reviews and insights throughout the colder months. We recap the Historic Grand National Steeple and Hurdle from Riccarton as well as looking forward to some spring features. Winter Weigh In, August 11

A couple of New Zealand’s feature two-mile contests are in the offing for Palmerston North stayer Crouch (NZ) (Tarzino) this season, but track conditions will play a key part in those plans.  The six-year-old son of Tarzino had a pleasing summer preparation last term, headlined by his runner-up performance behind Wolfgang in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham in January.  The gelding made his first public appearance of the new season when trialling over 1000m at Awapuni’s newly-renovated grass track, finishing runner-up behind stablemate Showbastian Coe (NZ) (Showcasing).  Trainer…

Frankie Barrett could hardly wipe the smile off her face after riding the first winner of her career at Hawera on Sunday. The 20-year-old apprentice had just ticked over 20 rides when she was legged aboard the Kevin Myers-trained Shawshank (NZ) (El Roca) in the last on the card, with the son of El Roca rated the second-favourite in an even Rating 65 contest. Jumping from the ace barrier, Shawshank flew the gates and took a clear lead early, settling into a lovely rhythm for Barrett along the back straight.…

The well-related Life Of Riley (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) is forward enough for a bold bid at a deserved victory when she returns to action at Rotorua. The daughter of Turn Me Loose has required patient handling and will attempt to break her maiden at her third appearance when she runs in Wednesday’s Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1400m). The five-year-old is a half-sister to winning stablemate Powerofpersuasion (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns), who claim four-time Group One winner Riverina Charm as their third dam, with the pair raced by breeder Sir…

Corrina McDougal is still getting her voice back after cheering home Suliman (NZ) (Redwood) to win last Saturday’s Grand National Hurdles (4200m), but it is straight back to business this week for the Hastings horsewoman. McDougal was watching from home as Suliman toughed out a gruelling edition of the National, her second victory in the Riccarton feature after she and co-trainer Paul Nelson took out the 2021 edition with The Cossack. “I don’t have a cold at the moment, I’ve just lost my voice from screaming at the TV,” she…

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The Hayes brothers plan on continuing their stranglehold on the Gr.2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, having won the past three editions of the race. The Hayes brothers’ mainstay Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) took out the race in 2022 and 2023. Last year, they handed the baton over to Gentleman Roy (So You Think) who continued his good winter form when he defeated Pinstriped (Street Boss). Ben Hayes has confidence that four-year-old Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) can keep their streak going in the race. “He trialled really…

Graeme and Debbie Rogerson are dreaming of the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) once more with their multiple Group One winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart following his pleasing trial outing at Te Rapa on Saturday. The former New Zealand Horse of the Year finished fourth in a star-studded line-up over 1000m, which was taken out by Group One performer Alabama Lass. The six-year-old son of Redwood competed in last year’s Melbourne Cup but was a shadow of his former self according to Graeme Rogerson, but the Hamilton horseman is buoyed by the…

Late bloomer Jethro Tull sparked another family celebration when he doubled his winning tally at Te Rapa. He is trained by Brent Gillovic, who bred and races him with son Kurtis and their patience was further rewarded with a game front-running victory over 1200 metres, his second on the Hamilton course. “He’s had a lot of niggling issues and growing pains and finally, in his last three starts, he’s done what we always thought he could,” said Highview principal Gillovic. The five-year-old had posted consecutive placings ahead of Saturday’s success…