Category: Featured

The well-performed Go Lotte (NZ) (Telperion) appreciated the step-up over ground in Sunday’s RMG Publicans Beaumont Cup (1500m), picking up the ninth win of her career in the Wingatui feature. A mare by Telperion, Go Lotte had been restricted to six furlongs in her last three starts and was well-weighted in the race, carrying just 51kg in the hands of apprentice jockey Abdul Najib. Riviera Rebel started favourite at $3.40, and while he was expected to be a pace influence in the race, the gelding settled in midfield while Zadane…

A brilliant mind, a love of animals and a massive contribution to many facets of the racing and breeding industry are being recalled following the death of Matamata equine veterinarian Dr Bill Ewen. His sudden death at his home last Tuesday aged 68 followed a period of poor health. After growing up in Auckland and studying at Massey University’s School of Veterinary Science, Ewen was an honours with distinction graduate in 1979 and put his degree to good use with one of the country’s eminent equine veterinary practices, Thompson and…

The fast-improving You Say D’Orsay (Under The Louve) indicated he is a serious contender for the upcoming Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) with a gusty victory at Tauranga on Saturday. An Australian-bred son of Under The Louvre, You Say D’Orsay has been lightly-raced by Cambridge trainer Chris Wood, with just four starts as a three-year-old resulting in two wins and two runner-up finishes. The gelding has continued his upward trajectory at four, placing fourth in the $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) and was deservedly among the favourites in Saturday’s St…

Northern apprentice jockey Sienna Brown earned a fitting first victory in the saddle aboard Hadid (NZ) (Charm Spirit) at Tauranga on Saturday. The 19-year-old had ridden the daughter of Charm Spirit on four previous occasions, including at the trials in the early stages of becoming an apprentice. Prepared by Hanna Orting, Hadid is owned by Brown’s parents Tony and Nikki, who were on course to witness a very special moment in the Larissa Reid Bayleys Whakatane Commercial (1600m). Having observed the pattern of the day, Brown took initiative from the…

Syndicator Joe O’Neill has enjoyed the results over summer with his two-year-olds, but it’s the prospect of having a champion hurdler with The Cunning Fox (NZ) (Reliable Man) which is whetting his appetite for the future. O’Neill watched the undefeated jumper trial at Cranbourne on Thursday when he finished second in a 2400m hurdle trial to Dashing Willoughby. “He trialled brilliantly at Cranbourne on Thursday. We thought he was extraordinary,” O’Neill said. The Patrick and Michelle Payne-trained jumper won his three hurdle starts last season, with his final win coming…

Now that Wrote To Arataki (NZ) (Wrote) has ticked off the 1600 metres box she will return to that trip in next Saturday’s Gr.2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) at The Valley. After Wrote To Arataki won the Gr.3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on February 15, Trainer Matt Williams gave the six-year-old mare her first opportunity over 1600 metres when she finished third in the Gr.3 Matron Stakes at Flemington. In that race, she took up the running and was still in front with 50 metres to go, before she…

The Team unearth some great stories from what on paper looked like a quiet week in racing. They cover everything from Waitak returning to the winners circle, exceptional Australian racing, international jockeys and retired ones. That and plenty more on this weeks Weigh In. Weigh In, March 16