
Te Akau fillies vying for 1000 Guineas berth
A pair of Te Akau Racing fillies will be vying to keep their Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) hopes alive when they step out this week.

A pair of Te Akau Racing fillies will be vying to keep their Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) hopes alive when they step out this week.

Andrew Forsman took home Group One spoils on a rain-affected track at Hastings last weekend with Mustang Valley, but the Cambridge trainer is hoping for a better surface in the Bay of Plenty on Wednesday for his promising fillies.

Top quality mare Mustang Valley spearheaded a lucrative and satisfying stellar Saturday for Windsor Park Stud.

A downpour of rain at Hastings on Saturday was welcomed by consistent stayer Semper Magico, who skipped through the heavy conditions to continue his red-hot form.

Exciting three-year-old Tokyo Tycoon has been ruled out of the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guines (1600m) at Riccarton next month.

It may have taken a few years and 21 starts, but trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy may have found Malt Time’s new pet distance.

Rugged performer The Buffer showed all his fighting attributes when he forced his way between runners late in the piece to claim victory in the Coupland’s Bakeries Mile Trial (1400m) at Riccarton.

With six wins in three different countries within the space of 18 hours, Te Akau Racing had a weekend that was extraordinary even by their standards.

Versatile galloper Taramea Lad provided ample evidence he will be a force to be reckoned with in the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) in November with a stout staying performance to take out the Waimakariri Businesses North Canterbury Cup (2000m) at Riccarton.

Rising star Antino put a nightmare Melbourne debut behind him with a comfortable return to winning form in Sunday’s Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1500m).

Lightning may have struck twice for some of the connections of multiple Group One winner Mr Brightside, who have now won four races in a row with another promising galloper sourced from New Zealand.

The miserable weather that hit Hastings ahead of Saturday’s eagerly anticipated Arrowfield Stud Plate Day led to track downgrades, high-profile late scratchings and plenty of disappointment, but Lisa Latta was less fazed than most.