Top apprentice sidelined

Kelsey Hannan, the country’s leading apprentice jockey, has been sidelined following a fall at Riccarton last Friday.

Val Di Zoldo poised to confirm Oaks claims

Promising filly Val Di Zoldo will kick-start a big period of feature race participation for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike when she tackles Wednesday’s Gr.2 Little Avondale Stud Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Awapuni.

Prowess out of Derby

Prowess, the second-favourite for Saturday’s Gr.1 Auckland Thoroughbred Racing New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Te Rapa, has been withdrawn from the $1 million classic.

All go for Legarto for Melbourne

Fresh from a top-level victory last weekend, Ken and Bev Kelso are looking forward to the challenge of another in Melbourne.

Little Avondale looking on the bright side after topsy-turvy week

A topsy-turvy week will hopefully take an upward swing for Little Avondale Stud this weekend ahead of an annual highlight next Wednesday.

Elliot favoured for home Group One

Northern hoop Ryan Elliot will head home to Horowhenua this weekend where he is favoured to bring home the lion’s share of the $300,000 purse in the Gr.1 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki on Saturday.

Fourth Group One for Levante

Matamata-trained mare Levante added a fourth Group One victory to her résumé when she defeated another class performer in La Crique to take out the Gr.1 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki.

Per Incanto colt wins Blue Diamond

The Ben and JD Hayes-trained Little Brose ran out a ready winner of the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Sandown on Saturday, the tenth time the Hayes surname has claimed Victoria’s premier two-year-old race.

Sydney preferred option for Dragon Queen

Group Two winner Dragon Queen put her hand up for Australian assignments after winning the Lisa Chittick Plate (1400m) at Matamata on Saturday.

Balcombe In To Win on first trip to Matamata

Manawatu horsewoman Tineke Balcombe came up smiling on her first raceday experience at Matamata on Saturday when Colorado Star won the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m).