Business

Battle Secret has been a quiet achiever in the Bill Thurlow stable throughout his career and continued a purple patch of form this campaign going back-to-back at Hawera on Sunday.

A convincing victory by Diamond Jak in the $50,000 Savabeel 2100 capped a special hour at Te Rapa on Saturday for Matamata brothers Peter and Mark Brosnan.

Improving Evaporate makes statement at The Valley
New Zealand-bred gelding Evaporate kept his unbeaten three-year-old record intact in style in Saturday’s A$150,000 Airitalia Handicap (1523m) at Moonee Valley.

Jakama Krystal capped off a weekend to remember for Peter and Jessica Brosnan with a classy front-running performance to win the Clayton Yaxley Maiden Steeplechase (3900m) at Hawera on Sunday.

New Zealand-breds fought out a thrilling finish to Saturday’s A$80,000 Dr Bernard Clarke Memorial Handicap (2040m) at Moonee Valley, with Lauding digging deep to score a narrow win over Lincoln Rocks.

New Zealand import Trosettee collected a long-overdue first Australian victory with a come-from-behind win in Saturday’s A$130,000 Ladbroke It! Handicap (1600m) at Moonee Valley.

There was a time when Darryn Weatherley wondered if Mali Ston would ever return to a racecourse, but patience and perseverance paid off when the talented gelding kicked off his season with a powerful second in Saturday’s Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m).

Promising three-year-old Suit Yourself honoured the memory of the late Kevin Hickman in perfect fashion when he scored a special victory at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Imported New Zealand stayer Strathtay has made an impressive start to his Australian career, and he kept that strong form going with a third Sydney victory in Saturday’s A$160,000 Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick.

Previously a stakes winner at the ages of two, three, four and five, Bonny Lass kicked off her six-year-old season on a perfect note when she defeated a star-studded field in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa.

Spring staying features are looming large on the horizon for Dashing Duchess after the Kiwi-bred mare’s dominant victory in Saturday’s A$150,000 Italian Chamber of Commerce Handicap (2500m) at Moonee Valley.

Local filly Diablo Blanco produced a bold audition for Christchurch’s upcoming spring features with a runaway victory in Saturday’s CJC Feature Nominations Close 27 August Three-Year-Old (1200m) on Riccarton’s synthetic track.