The last three months have been a breakthrough period in the career of Zanzibar, who will attempt to continue his rise through the winter ranks in Saturday’s ITM New Plymouth Interprovincial (1600m). The Jomara Bloodstock homebred had made little impression in his four career starts before May of this year. He finished 10th on debut at Pukekohe last November, followed by sixth placings at Rotorua and Te Aroha and a fourth at Tauranga. But Zanzibar has returned to action as a very different horse this winter, recording two wins and…
Author: NZRacingDesk
Trainer marshalling 3YO troops
Stephen Marsh’s stable promises to be a major player when the feature spring age-group races roll around, with a host of talented three-year-olds to take serious steps toward those targets at the weekend. The Cambridge trainer will be represented by last season’s stakes winners To Cap It All and Little Black Dress and black-type placegetter Lady Iris in Sunday’s Pak ‘N’ Save 3YO (1200m) at Taupo. “They’ve all had one trial and this is a stepping stone to much bigger things,” Marsh said. “Out of this race, there’s the Sir…
Proven wet-tracker making Kiwi debut at Woodville
Otaki trainer Andrew Campbell saw potential in Cocobill as a yearling, and two and a half years later the ex-Victorian galloper will make his Kiwi debut for his stable at Woodville on Sunday. After stepping away from training for a couple of years in 2021, Campbell went down the path of becoming a bloodstock agent, and Cocobill was among the yearlings he sourced for clients out of the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales at Karaka. The son of Vadamos was secured for just $18,000 by Campbell, client Tommy…
O’Malley eyeing first success in new role
Former jockey Sam O’Malley will chase his first winner as a trainer this weekend after recently joining employer Bill Thurlow in partnership. Based in the Central Districts, O’Malley had a successful career in the saddle despite battling with weight issues, guiding home 68 winners, including a Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m) aboard Justaskme. He gave up riding professionally in 2022, and after a couple of years away from the sport, he took up a position as Thurlow’s stable foreman. Thurlow had a season to remember last term, finishing 12th on the…
Manifique a highlight lot in gavelhouse.com auction
Both the pedigree and the racetrack performances of Manifique (NZ) (Savabeel) make her a major drawcard in the latest fortnightly auction on gavelhouse.com. Bidding currently stands at $27,000 for the royally bred Group Two performer and is due to close around 7.30pm on Monday. Manifique is by New Zealand’s 10-time champion sire Savabeel, who is also putting together an outstanding record as a broodmare sire. His daughters have produced the Group One winners Never Been Kissed (NZ) (Tivaci), Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls), Savatoxl (Kuroshio), Beauty Eternal (Starspangledbanner), Warmonger (NZ) (War…
Lightning ready to rumble first-up
Peter Moody has indicated Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride of Dubai) may be ready for a step up in trip this campaign. Desert Lightning is set to kick off his latest campaign that could lead the gelding to a start in the Caulfield Cup. The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained six-year-old is down to run first-up in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Desert Lightning is one of ten runners in Saturday’s race following the scratching of the Chris Waller-trained Full Count Felicia. Saturday’s outing…
The Oaks Stud fillies thriving ahead of Group Three test
The Oaks Stud’s silks were to the fore in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) six years ago when carried to victory by Catalyst, and this year they are hoping to feature once more. Farm principal Dick Karreman will be represented by two fillies in this year’s running at Ruakaka on Saturday, including Group One performer Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and Cashla Bay (NZ) (U S Navy Flag). The Andrew Forsman-trained Cashla Bay recorded her second career victory when winning at the Northland track first-up a fortnight ago,…
Ladies Man on target for weight-for-age features
Allan Sharrock isn’t expecting first-up fireworks from Ladies Man on his home track on Saturday, with the focus on upcoming Group One targets. The New Plymouth trainer is satisfied with his stable star’s progress ahead of his resuming run in the Paslode Open Handicap (1400m) to kick-start a campaign aimed at weight-for-age prizes. “I’m pretty happy with him, but with the weight it’s going to be tough on him,” Sharrock said. After apprentice Frankie Barrett’s claim, Ladies Man will still lump 62kg in his first outing for six months. “I…
Logan back in black-type frame with Yokozuna
Donna Logan will be back in the black-type frame with her young stable at Ruakaka on Saturday, presenting the promising Yokozuna in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). After seven years training in Singapore, Logan returned to New Zealand late last year and has already made her presence felt, picking up six wins from less than 30 starters in a rebuilding phase for the accomplished horsewoman. Among her just-turned three-year-old contingent is Yokozuna, a son of Fierce Impact that she purchased out of the Karaka Yearling Sales last…
Luminance testing her talent on better surface
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…