Frank Ritchie had anything but a relaxed watch as Gwen’s Daughter descended down the Pukekohe straight on Saturday, but he was delighted when she prevailed in the Stella Artois Championship Qualifier (1500m).
Josh Shaw tasted Group glory with Hinepara last year and he has got a craving for more.
Shane Crawford has shown plenty of patience with promising four-year-old Wallen, and that approach seems to be paying off, with the son of Tarzino having placed in his first three starts.
Promising colt Savaglee wasn’t purchased with New Zealand’s richest two-year-old event in mind, but it’s emerged as a serious target.
Christmas at the Races will head to Wanganui on Saturday and Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan is hoping some of the festive spirit comes his way when his in-form gelding Semper Magico lines-up in the John Turkington Forestry/Waipine Logging Bulls Country Cup 2040.
Luck has never seemed be on the side of talented mare Bonny Lass, but co-trainer Graham Richardson is hoping her time in the spotlight nears after a standout performance at the Taupo trials on Wednesday.
Our Alley Cat will be out to keep her stakes-winning momentum going when she heads to Pukekohe on Saturday for the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
Lance Noble’s Karaka stable has made a fast start to the season and the momentum promises to roll on to Pukekohe on Saturday with an in-form team of five to do battle.
A respected vendor at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale throughout the last two decades, Kilgravin Lodge broke new ground at Karaka on Wednesday with the two highest prices in their history.
Ben Foote enjoyed an outstanding first session at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale and he’s got the firepower to continue the party at Pukekohe.
Former champion jockey Douglas Whyte boosted the ranks of his emerging training operation with a Karaka buying bench debut during the Ready to Run Sale on Thursday.
Classy grey mare Aromatic will attempt to follow in the footsteps of a former stablemate when she returns to Pukekohe on Saturday to defend her title in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m).
