Author: NZRacingDesk

Star New Zealand Steeplechaser The Cossack has been retired after suffering a suspensory injury. The Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal-trained 11-year-old was set to clash with West Coast in Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 149th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton. The Cossack joined the stable of Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal in 2020, and initially fashioned an enviable record over hurdles with prestige titles at Hawke’s Bay, Waikato and Wellington alongside a Grand National and two Great Northerns. The son of Mastercraftsman finished a narrow second in the…

Three-year-old filly Erle became the fourth individual Group One winner for Reliable Man when streaking clear to bag Sunday’s Gr.1 Preis Der Diana (2200m) at Dusseldorf. Having landed the Gr.3 Diana Trial (Gr 3, 2000m) at Hoppegarten on her previous outing, the Maxim Pecheur-trained filly took out the feature after she cleared away from her rivals inside the final furlong to beat the fast-finishing Spanish Eyes by a length. Erle is bred and raced by prominent German breeders Gestut Rottgen and prepared by Maxim Pecheur. Five years after winning the…

Broodmare gem Opulence is the gift that keeps on giving for breeder Don Goodwin, with the mare producing another topliner in Australia over the weekend, but this time over jumps. Opulence is the dam of ill-fated 11-time Group One winner and Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) heroine Verry Elleegant and Group Three performer Verry Flash, with the latter also having won on three occasions over hurdles. Their younger full-brother Affluential has shown the same affinity for jumping in Australia, culminating with victory in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown on…

New Zealand’s jockey ranks have been bolstered this week with the welcome addition of expat Australian hoop Matthew Cartwright. The 21-year-old jockey recorded 233 wins in Victoria, but found opportunities began to dry up after coming out of his apprenticeship, and he has elected to chance his arm across the Tasman to help revitalise his riding career. “I was struggling with opportunities in Australia, so I thought I would make a change and New Zealand is what that change is going to be,” Cartwright said. Cartwright had a successful apprenticeship…

Progressive stayer Lombardi flew under the radar heading into his fresh-up run on Saturday at Riccarton and indicated there is plenty more to come this spring with a decisive win over 1400m.   Prepared by Bruce Smith, Lombardi had been a model of consistency in competitive races from 1600 to 2600m last season, including finishing a close-up third behind talented performers Noble Knight and Good Oil during New Zealand Cup Week.   The six-year-old didn’t run a bad race all autumn and was sent for a deserved spell in mid-April, with his…

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has today (August 5) released a consultation document to aid in deciding the future of jumps racing in New Zealand. The consultation, which will run through to September 6, presents two main options for the future of jumps racing: continuation with a dedicated strategy and additional investment, or a managed wind-down leading to eventual closure. Bruce Sharrock, NZTR Chief Executive Officer, has asked those involved in jumps racing to carefully consider the document and provide feedback with their preferred option. “Jumps racing in New Zealand is…

A well-performed Pencarrow Stud family came up trumps with a memorable winning double at Riccarton and looks set to continue to add to its roll of honour into the future. The Adrian Bull-trained and raced Jay Bee Gee triumphed in Saturday’s Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) in a thrilling finish and stablemate and half-sister Harmonious, owned by farm principal Sir Peter Vela, claimed the closing event on the card. They are out of the Pins mare Huluava, who was a three-time winner from 10 appearances before going on to star as…

It was an emotional John Leek after Affluential (NZ) (Zed) provided him with what he described as the best moment of his training career with his tough win in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown Lakeside. The win also gave former English jockey Will Gordon his first feature win as a jumps jockey in Australia. Gordon said it was an amazing effort by Affluential as he over-raced for most of the race and then had to fight in the closing stages to hold off a late challenge from runner-up…

It was an emotional John Leek after Affluential (NZ) (Zed) provided him with what he described as the best moment of his training career with his tough win in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown Lakeside. The win also gave former English jockey Will Gordon his first feature win as a jumps jockey in Australia. Gordon said it was an amazing effort by Affluential as he over-raced for most of the race and then had to fight in the closing stages to hold off a late challenge from runner-up…

It was an emotional John Leek after Affluential (NZ) (Zed) provided him with what he described as the best moment of his training career with his tough win in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown Lakeside. The win also gave former English jockey Will Gordon his first feature win as a jumps jockey in Australia. Gordon said it was an amazing effort by Affluential as he over-raced for most of the race and then had to fight in the closing stages to hold off a late challenge from runner-up…