Business

Oaks heroine Pennyweka has returned a bigger and stronger animal in the eyes of trainer Jim Wallace and he is looking forward to tackling some big spring assignments with the now four-year-old.

Promising mare Watch Out will face the sternest test of her brief career when she steps out in Rating 80 company at Riccarton on Wednesday.

Former stakes-winning apprentice jockey Ashley Frye will be back in the saddle at Riccarton on Wednesday, but this time in the amateur ranks.

Local trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman made a pleasing start to the Grand National Festival of Racing on Saturday with Makabar taking out the Winter Fashions Here 12 August Open Handicap (1200m).

Sarah Hurrell took out her trainer’s license to continue Half Of Nothing’s racing career, and the grey mare rewarded her efforts when recording her first training win at Hawera on Sunday.

A fortunate encounter at Karaka led Chris Gibbs the way of Warsaw, who is proving himself to be a sound investment.

Matamata mare Cork is on her way home after a pleasing hit-and-run mission on Saturday’s Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton where she finished runner-up to Belardo Boy.

Three weeks after winning in Benchmark 88 grade at Randwick, Kiwi-bred gelding Bold Mac stepped up in class and delivered a repeat result in Saturday’s A$160,000 Petaluma Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) at Rosehill.

Michelle Bradley picked up where she left off from last season when scoring a winning double at Ruakaka on Saturday.

Exciting galloper Crocetti put his name to the forefront for the upcoming three-year-old features with a convincing return to racing at Ruakaka on Saturday.

Wexford Stables have locked in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) as Dragon Leap’s next major target following his convincing win at Ruakaka on Saturday.

Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan has quickly turned his attention to next weekend’s Grand National meeting following West Coast’s disappointing third placing in the Koral Steeplechase (4250m) at Riccarton on Saturday.