Chasing $2.5 million in stakes doesn’t happen every Saturday on the New Zealand calendar, and Graham Richardson is embracing having two runners chasing the major spoils on TAB Karaka Millions Night at Ellerslie.
Taranaki couple Carole and John Lynskey are enjoying some time down in Queenstown this week toasting the success of their Group One winner Puntura following his victory in the Thorndon Mile at Trentham last Saturday.
A warm early welcome for Little Avondale Stud’s draft at Karaka has further fuelled its New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale expectations.
Leading Sydney hoop James McDonald has been ticking up the air miles of late and will add some more to his tally when he heads home to New Zealand this weekend to ride at the TAB Karaka Millions race meeting at Ellerslie.
Continuing his spending spree at Magic Millions’ Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis dug deep into his pockets on the third day of the sale to secure a filly close to his heart.
Zabmanzor made a bold statement in his last journey down to the Central Districts, and Roger James is hoping for a repeat performance when the colt contests Saturday’s Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (1600m).
Russian Fable was set to head to the spelling paddock following her last start fifth placing at Greymouth, but trainer Nayton Mitchell was pleased he made the decision to have one final roll of the dice with his mare.
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will on Saturday bid to complete a premier sprinting double with Dragon Leap expected to be ideally suited at Trentham in his quest for top-flight honours in the Gr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m).
Stakes performer Imwonderfultonight will head to Trentham with fresh legs on Saturday to tackle elite-level company for the first time in the Gr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m).
Town Cryer may be the form horse in Saturday’s Gr.3 Dixon & Dunlop Anniversary Handicap (1600m) at Trentham, but the mare’s stablemate Sindicato may pose as her biggest challenge.
In-form short course performer Mercurial has been given the green light for another crack at a major prize on Saturday.
Matamata trainer Wayne Hillis is looking forward to heading to his home track on Wednesday where he will be represented by a pair of runners in the Waikato Stud 1200.
