Business

Trainer Tony Pike is dreaming of a bright future with Roederer after he broke through for his maiden win at Arawa Park on Thursday.

The horse that did more for New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson’s profile than any other may have raced for the last time.

Waikato Hospital radiologist Xavier Kos is dreaming of an Oaks victory with his filly Mehzebeen after she broke through for her maiden win at Awapuni on Wednesday.

Val Di Zoldo headlined a stellar day for Tony Pike at Awapuni where she added serious momentum to her preparation for the country’s premier staying feature for fillies.

Express Coup has been given the nod as Michael and Matthew Pitman’s best hope of success in Saturday’s age group feature at Wingatui.

It was a whirlwind trip to Saudi Arabia last week for New Zealand jockey Sam Spratt, but one that will live in her memory for some time.

Kelsey Hannan, the country’s leading apprentice jockey, has been sidelined following a fall at Riccarton last Friday.

Promising filly Val Di Zoldo will kick-start a big period of feature race participation for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike when she tackles Wednesday’s Gr.2 Little Avondale Stud Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Awapuni.

Prowess, the second-favourite for Saturday’s Gr.1 Auckland Thoroughbred Racing New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Te Rapa, has been withdrawn from the $1 million classic.

Fresh from a top-level victory last weekend, Ken and Bev Kelso are looking forward to the challenge of another in Melbourne.

A topsy-turvy week will hopefully take an upward swing for Little Avondale Stud this weekend ahead of an annual highlight next Wednesday.

Northern hoop Ryan Elliot will head home to Horowhenua this weekend where he is favoured to bring home the lion’s share of the $300,000 purse in the Gr.1 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki on Saturday.