Business

Rank outsider Lovelock turned the formbook upside down when he bolted away with the Riverton Rural Transport Highway Stakes (2147m), the feature flat event at Riverton on Easter Monday.

A rails-hugging ride by Kavish Chowdhoory paved the way for the visiting Michael and Matthew Pitman stable to quinella the opening event on the second day of the annual Riverton Easter Carnival. 

Two highly talented Te Akau mares made bold statements with impressive sprinting victories at Flemington and Ellerslie on Saturday.

Local trainer Graham Eade enjoyed success at his Riverton home track on Saturday and is hoping for more of the same when he lines up four of his team on the second day of the annual two-day carnival on Easter Monday. 

Levin trainer Ilone Kelly will unveil an intriguing new addition to her stable when the well-related Linara makes his New Zealand debut in Monday’s McMillan Equine Feeds Maiden (1100m) at Otaki.

Promising up-and-comer Gringotts added a fifth win to his record with a stylish come-from-behind performance in Saturday’s HKJC World Pool Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill.

Emerging stayer Mark Twain capped a dream day for Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood when he won Saturday’s Listed Lexus Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington and secured himself a ballot-free entry into the Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m).

A daughter of two-time Riverton Cup (2147m) winner Miss Three Stars lined up on the same raceday on Saturday for the same trainer and jockey, delivering a major victory of her own in the Bupa Care Services Francolin Stakes (1400m).

A year after winning the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) with Prowess, Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood returned to Rosehill on Saturday and achieved a repeat result with another special filly.

Race favourite Prince Alby carried the hopes of the locals in Saturday’s Kennedy Building Riverton Cup (2147m), and he didn’t let anyone down as he ground out a terrific victory in the feature event on the day. 

Wymark’s connections are likely to pay a late nomination fee for next week’s Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) after the rapidly improving three-year-old collected his fourth win in a row in Saturday’s Gr.2 Toyota Forklifts Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.

Linebacker became the first stakes winner for freshman Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth with a classy and tenacious victory in Saturday’s Gr.3 Hyland Race Colours Baillieu (1400m) at Rosehill – a performance that also earned him a shot at next month’s Gr.1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.