Author: NZRacingDesk

Tony Pike’s runners haven’t missed a beat in their bid to successfully execute a black-type double for the stable at Riccarton on Wednesday. The Cambridge trainer has the in-form Witz End (NZ) (Savabeel) and Acquarello (Written Tycoon) in the feature events on the middle day of the New Zealand Cup carnival with Matt Cartwright and Michael McNab their respective riders. The lightly raced Witz End confirmed his passage south for a crack at the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) with a last-start success at Ellerslie to take his record to four…

Idyllic (No Nay Never) marked the start of a new era for the father-son training partnership of Kevin and Stephen Gray when she powered to victory in the Autogroom – Kooltintz (1000m) at Tauherenikau on Sunday. The Gray’s prepared over 400 winners together in New Zealand between 1987-2000, before Stephen obtained a trainer’s license in Singapore, where he would spend the next 24 years, establishing himself among the top trainers in the competitive jurisdiction. Gray returned to his homeland earlier this year after the announcement that racing would cease in…

Juvenile filly Abbakiss (Microphone) gave Bryce Newman plenty to look forward to with a professional victory in the Johnson Brothers (1000m) at Tauherenikau on Sunday. A compact field of five assembled for the juvenile contest, with Te Akau Racing’s trial winner Carsolio heavily-backed to salute on debut and closed a $1.20 favourite, ahead of Abbakiss at $6.90. The filly was a stride slow at the jump, but quickly strode up to take the inside running, while Carsolio was posted three-wide to the home turn. Abbakiss straightened with an advantage on…

Guy Heveldt, Emily Murphy & Jayne Ivil recap a magic Saturday of racing, highlighted by Champions Day at Flemington and the 2000 Guineas from Riccarton. Weigh In, November 10

Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai), last season’s Australian Racehorse Of The Year and a three-time Group One winner, has been retired following Saturday’s A$3 million Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m). Bred by Cambridge thoroughbred nursery Trelawney Stud, Pride Of Jenni was sold through Segenhoe Stud’s 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft for $100,000 to Tony and Lyn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud. She showed promise from an early stage and finished second in the Gr.2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1410m), Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) and Gr.2 Stocks Stakes (1600m), before she…

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The Group One Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington has been one of the few major miles to elude Mr Brightside, who finished fourth in the race in 2021, third in 2022 and second last year. But it was fourth time lucky on Saturday and the seven-year-old added the A$3 million feature to his glittering CV. Mr Brightside has now won 18 of his 40 starts and more than A$16 million in stakes, and he is showing no sign of slowing down. He has continued his customary consistency throughout this spring,…

Multiple New Zealand Group One winner Belclare has continued her strong form in Australia from her new quarters at Bjorn Baker’s stable. The seven-year-old daughter of Per Incanto won the A$2 million Gr.2 The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick a fortnight ago and it was a case of rinse and repeat when landing the A$500,000 Gr.2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday. On both occasions Belclare went forward under Tyler Schiller and had her rivals in trouble when showing a good kick mid-straight, with quality mare Magic Time chasing…

Up-and-comer Kadavar extended his perfect record at 2400m to two-from-two with a stylish victory in Saturday’s A$160,000 TAB Handicap (2400m) at Rosehill. The Tarzino gelding has now had 11 starts for four wins, earning A$170,025 for his owners Neville Morgan and David Devine. Kadavar won the first two starts of his career at Ipswich and Doomben earlier this year, then stepped up to 2400m for the first time with victory on the Kensington track in June. The four-year-old headed into Saturday’s assignment with a form line that had steadily improved…

A dream spring for Savaglee, his trainer Pam Gerard and jockey Sam Spratt culminated in something very special in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 52nd New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday. Savaglee began his three-year-old season somewhat below the radar, albeit with two wins to his name from seven starts last season including the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m). But the Savabeel colt has blossomed before our eyes this spring and become a standout of his generation, winning four of his five starts including the Gr.2 Hawke’s…