Author: NZRacingDesk

Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) is in fine fettle ahead of her tilt at the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on Friday, pleasing jockey Craig Williams with her work on the Melbourne track on Monday.  “I was really happy with her,” Williams told Racing.com. “She enjoyed it. It is a privilege to come out here in preparation for Friday’s Group One tilt.  “Megan (Winter), who has been entrusted with her care over here while Ken and Bev (Kelso, trainers) are back in New Zealand, is doing a really good job.” …

Regally bred colt Lydiard Park (Wootton Bassett) will have conditions more in his favour on Wednesday to add performance to his pedigree. The son of Wootton Bassett will make his second appearance when he steps out in the TCL Earthworks Maiden (1500m) on the synthetic track at Cambridge. Trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, the three-year-old finished fifth on debut earlier this month at Ruakaka where he raced greenly and was unsuited by the rain-affected going. “We chanced our arm going there off the one soft trial and it…

Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) made his first public appearance of the season when winning his 1100m trial at Te Rapa on Tuesday.  The Danny Walker and Arron Tata-trained gelding jumped away well to sit outside leader Boss ‘N’ Highheels. He found the lead comfortably under his own steam when entering the straight and ran out an effortless two-length victor over Lachie.  Walker was pleased with what he saw ahead of his spring preparation.  “He had a nice gallop,” he said. “He is looking good, he is good in…

Michael was at Te Aroha for the last day of the jumps season to chat with various stakeholders about the discipline, less than a year after it was in serious doubt. Plus the first Mickey G update for season two and a look ahead to the week’s racing. Guerin Report – S2 Ep.4 Jumps Review

Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman will head to Phar Lap Raceway with a strong team on Wednesday, including a trio who have some feature New Zealand Cup Week targets on the line.  Ocean Light (NZ) (Ocean Park) holds a nomination for the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and will take his first step towards the two-mile feature in the Hospitality NZ – SC Branch 1600.  The five-year-old gelding will be fresh-up after a six-week break and his trainers are hoping he can continue his good run of form, having…

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Twelve-time Champion Trainer Mark Walker, who ticked over 2000 career wins last year, added to his achievements at The Australian Jumps Racing Association (AJRA) 2025 AJRA Mosstrooper Awards, held on Saturday in Melbourne. The Mosstrooper Awards celebrate the very best in jumps racing: the horses, trainers, jockeys, ground staff, and all those that make jumps racing thrive. In a series of jumps races, Walker recorded the highest number of points to win the JJ Houlahan Championship – Champion Trainer Award. Walker has always had a soft spot of jumpers, highlighted…

Bold front running mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) will be out to light up The Valley once again when she chases back-to-back wins in the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) on Friday night. Ciaron Maher’s eight-year-old will be first up since May and had Declan Bates in the saddle for her Monday morning gallop at the tight inner city circuit, with Maher receiving positive feedback from the Irishman. “He said he felt she was pretty relaxed for the first half of the gallop and wanted to rip down the…

Superstar Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress), the odds-on favourite for this year’s The Everest (1200m), has arrived safely in Sydney. The David Hayes-trained speedster touched down mid-morning on Monday in what was the biggest step in his quest towards the $20 million sprint at Randwick on October 18. The son of Shamexpress reportedly travelled well and Australian Turf Club racing manager Nevesh Ramdhani said it was a coup to have Hong Kong’s best horse in town for the Spring Carnival. “Absolutely, the ratings on this horse after his 13 wins have just…

Former northerner Martell and heavy-track specialist Vamos spearheaded a dominant Sunday afternoon at Gore for trainer Kelvin Tyler. The Riverton horseman scored a winning treble on the eight-race card, alongside three runner-up placings and two fourths from his eight starters. He got off to the perfect start in the opener with homebred More Sass, who put away a maiden field comfortably over 1100m. More Sass, like her well-performed sister Lady Sass, has a few quirks, so Tyler was rapt to see a more professional display from the now four-year-old. “She’s…