Outstanding hurdler Happy Star showed he was at peak fitness to defend his Hospitality NZ Grand National Hurdles (4200m) crown next weekend when he cruised away to win the traditional lead-up event at Riccarton on Saturday, the Avon City Ford Sydenham Hurdles (3100m).
Taranaki mare The Dutch Dame broke through for a deserved maiden victory at Hawera on Sunday when taking out the Racing Again Sunday Sept 3rd (2100m).
New Zealand-bred mare Verona turned her form around in emphatic style at Rosehill on Saturday, charging home from last to score a runaway win in the A$160,000 Schweppes Handicap (2400m).
Awapuni visitor Belardo Boy claimed the first stakes race of the new season when he came with a determined late run to capture the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton.
Champion jockey Opie Bosson’s post-race summation of Dragon Leap’s resuming run at Ruakaka on Saturday will influence the direction of the seven-year-old’s spring campaign.
Secret Amour will be vying to shed her perennial bridesmaid tag in what could potentially be her last raceday outing in the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 126th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday.
t’s only natural for yearling managers to have their favourites when preparing for the sales, but it’s rare they get to call them their own.
t will take a modern weight-carrying record for Justaskme to win Saturday’s Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 126th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton but trainer Allan Sharrock reckons he can.
Local trainer Michael Wallace is looking forward to heading to Cambridge’s Synthetic meeting on Wednesday where he will be represented by With You in the Pryde’s Easifeed 1300.
Dual top-flight winner Prowess took her first steps toward another trip across the Tasman when she enjoyed a quiet trial at Te Rapa on Tuesday.
Last season’s standout three-year-old filly Legarto pleased trainers Ken and Bev Kelso with her first public hit-out this preparation at Te Rapa on Tuesday.
Judge Dick Hunt’s voice has been a staple at Central Districts race meetings for the best part of half a century, but at Otaki on Saturday he signed off for the last time.
