Author: NZRacingDesk

Hec Anderton, one of New Zealand racing’s most respected horsemen, has died at the age of 84. He passed away at the Otago Community Hospice in Dunedin last week, surrounded by his wife Pat and their children, Michael, Paul, Debbie Kennedy, Janine Carroll and Tania Batt. His death came poignantly just hours after Descaro, a horse he bred and raced in partnership, won at Wingatui. The gelding is trained by his brother Brian and nephew Shane, underlining the Anderton family’s deep-rooted place in southern racing.Born Hector Thomas Anderton, he was…

Three-year-old filly Passiflora (NZ) (Farnan) showed promise at the trials and transferred that potential into raceday success when scoring on debut in the NZ Horse Ambulance 970 at Cambridge on Wednesday. The daughter of Farnan had won a 850m trial at Te Awamutu a fortnight ago and was backed into a $4.70 favourite second favourite on Wednesday behind fellow debutant Zivou (NZ) (Bivouac). From her wide draw, Passiflora was sent forward early by jockey Jasmine Fawcett and wrestled the lead off Remember Ferrando (NZ) (Ferrando) and took control of the…

Tardelli (I Am Invincible) has the looks to match his rich pedigree, and his upcoming preparation will be focused on adding a top-level performance to boost his future stallion prospects. The Stephen Marsh-trained four-year-old showed he was in prime order to resume when untouched by rider George Rooke to win an open 1100m heat at Tuesday’s Ellerslie trials. “He’s a really smart horse, we haven’t seen the best of him yet and the goal is obviously to win a Group One with him,” Marsh said. The son of I Am…

Myakkabelle performed with distinction in her three-year-old season, but a stakes win eluded the Ben and Ryan Foote-trained mare. She won two and placed in six of her 10 starts last term, including placings in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m), and Gr.2 David & Karym Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m). “Her three-year-old season was good without a lot of luck,” Ryan Foote said. “From a wide draw she had to get back in the Oaks, which made it a bit hard. “We have given her a…

An untimely injury has ruled champion jockey Michael McNab out for the bulk of spring racing. McNab was set to partner a two-year-old at Tuesday’s Ellerslie trials when he was kicked and subsequent x-rays at Auckland Hospital revealed a leg fracture below the knee. “I have spoken to Michael, and he is really gutted,” his agent Aidan Rodley said. “He had made such a strong start to the season and was obviously hoping to capitalise on that through the spring and beyond. “It looks like he will be out for…

Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini) will fly to Melbourne on Wednesday to commence his path towards the A$10 million feature. The Group Three winner was set to start his spring campaign at Wanganui 10 days ago, but inclement weather curtailed those plans and trainers Peter and Shaun McKay have elected to head over to Melbourne with their charge. “He is booked to get on a flight tomorrow (Wednesday) to go to Melbourne and will start on Saturday at Flemington in a 1700m race. There is just nothing…

Jockey Jerry Chau returns to Hong Kong racing on Wednesday at Happy Valley hoping some New Zealand bred horses can start his season with the same momentum that resulted in an unlikely stakes win in Korea on Sunday. Chau, 25, who skilfully avoided much of the sand course’s harsh kickback aboard Self Improvement on his way to Korea Sprint victory, is booked for five rides at the city circuit, including Embraces (NZ) (Reliable Man) in the Class 3 Central Handicap (1650m) for trainer Cody Mo.     “Hopefully the outside draw (10)…

Capable synthetic performer Branciforti (NZ) (Belardo) is presented with an opportunity to turn her form around on Wednesday as the clock ticks down on her racing career. The daughter of Belardo will again step out on the polytrack in the Cambridge Equine Hospital Handicap (1550m) and a change of fortune is due to come the six-year-old’s way. “It’s been a really strange preparation because she’s been working great for the last couple of months,” Te Rapa trainer David Greene said. “Nothing seems to have gone right on raceday so hopefully…

Palmerston North trainer Paul Peake broke a two-decade winless drought at Woodville on Sunday when his gelding Lazy (NZ) (Complacent) scored his maiden win in the Mamona 2100 at his 29th attempt. The eight-year-old son of Complacent was sent forward from his wide gate by apprentice jockey Crystal Lindsay to take an early lead, with the pair dictating terms up front and running out convincing 4-1/4 length victors. “Fortunately, he drew wide,” Peake said. “He was very slow to find his feet, but drawing wide, he could get to the lead…

It’s part two of Michael’s chat with Opie Bosson, this time, it’s Opie the jockey. They look at his time in the industry, his best wins, and chat his favourite jockeys, trainers and horses. And Horse of the Year awards and Ka Ying Rising’s latest win are celebrated. Guerin Report – S2 Ep.2 Ft. Opie Bosson Pt.2