Author: NZRacingDesk

Luminance has proven herself up to black-type level on a heavy surface and trainer Kurtis Pertab is looking to put that ability to the test on a better track when she contests Saturday’s Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka. The daughter of Time Test continued to improve through her juvenile season, culminating in a maiden victory against the older horses at Wellington, and just came up short to Platinum Diamond in the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) last month. That performance was a rewarding result for Pertab, who…

It’s not every day that you get to compete for $100,000 on your backdoor step, and Debbie Harris is hoping to make the most of that opportunity this weekend. The New Plymouth trainer is set to line-up her in-form gelding Urenui in the $100,000 ITM New Plymouth Interprovincial (1600m), and the six-year-old has momentum on his side. The son of Derryn has finished runner-up in his two starts this preparation, with both proving to be good form races. Chase, the winner of Urenui’s first-up run last month, went on to…

Former Kiwi galloper Saltcoats (NZ) (Ardrossan) was a runaway winner of the rescheduled Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) on the Kensington track in Sydney on Wednesday. The Chris Waller-trained son of Ardrossan had been second emergency for the event which was originally scheduled for the washed-out Randwick meeting last Saturday. Under a ground-saving Zac Lloyd ride, Saltcoats took full advantage of the rescheduled contest when primed third-up. “It was a very tidy win,” stable representative Darren Beadman said. “He has got a bit of class about him and drawn the soft…

Former Kiwi galloper Saltcoats (NZ) (Ardrossan) was a runaway winner of the rescheduled Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) on the Kensington track in Sydney on Wednesday. The Chris Waller-trained son of Ardrossan had been second emergency for the event which was originally scheduled for the washed-out Randwick meeting last Saturday. Under a ground-saving Zac Lloyd ride, Saltcoats took full advantage of the rescheduled contest when primed third-up. “It was a very tidy win,” stable representative Darren Beadman said. “He has got a bit of class about him and drawn the soft…

A stakes test is looming for exciting three-year-old Churmatt following his debut win at Rotorua on Wednesday. The son of Churchill had shown plenty of ability at the trials, including winning his 850m heat at Te Awamutu last month, and was backed into equal favouritism for the Seeka Select Excellence 1230 at Arawa Park. Under jockey Michael McNab, he jumped well from his ace barrier and was able to maintain his advantage on the fence. Co-favourite Marzenie sat outside him, ensuring an honest tempo throughout. Upon entering the straight, Churmatt…

The 2025/26 racing season marked the beginning of a new era for nonagenarian trainer Leonard Stewart as his granddaughter Lacy Stewart joins him in partnership. Based out of the Phar Lap Raceway, Stewart has had the assistance of Lacy for a number of years, and it was only a matter of time before her name was in the racebook alongside his. “She’s been helping me for the last few years, so it was well overdue to happen,” Stewart said. “We get on pretty well, we see eye-to-eye and there’s never…

The Lindsay Park stable will be shooting for a fourth straight win in the P B Lawrence Stakes when they saddle two runners at Caulfield. Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) won the Group 2 race over 1400m in consecutive years before Gentleman Roy (So You Think) completed the treble for the stable last year. Ben, Will and J D Hayes will this year be represented by Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) and Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) who will be entering the contest first-up having performed solidly in jump-outs. Evaporate will be…

Tavis Court (NZ) (Tavistock) looks to have found his niche in small fields, and trainer Anna Clement has found him another intimate contest on Saturday. The 10-year-old gelding had just three other rivals when winning over 1200m at Hawera two starts back before finishing runner-up against five competitors over 1100m at Otaki a fortnight ago. He will face four opponents in the Paslode Open (1400m) at New Plymouth on Saturday, including local Group One winner Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed), who has been lumbered with a 66kg impost. Tavis Court has…

Highly regarded colt Geneva has passed every test with flying colours and is in the right order to continue that trend at Ruakaka. An impressive winner on debut, he has again made all the right moves ahead of his first black type test in Saturday’s Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). “He’s just ticked all the boxes and done everything we’ve asked of him every step along the way, he hasn’t ever been under a ride yet so it’s all in front of him,” trainer Kylie Hoskin said. “He’s…