All roads now lead to the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) for Captured By Love, after the talented juvenile maintained her unbeaten status in the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors LTD Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
Up-and-coming stayer The Underbelly continued his rapid rise with a dominant front-running performance in Saturday’s New World Otaki New Zealand St Leger Trial (2300m) at Otaki, booking himself a ticket to a time-honoured feature at Trentham next month.
A patient ride by Jonathan Riddell was the key to a much improved performance from talented galloper Solidify as he returned to winning form in the opening event at Otaki on Saturday, the Cavallo Farm Chris Rutten Bloodstock 3YO (1600m).
With Singapore Turf Club’s impending closure, there a more people exiting than entering the racing jurisdiction, but New Zealand-based jockey Darren Danis will be one of the few going against the tide.
Expat New Zealand trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young know what it takes to win a Derby in Australia, and now they are setting their sights on Sydney with the unbeaten Immediacy.
A fruitless summer saw Savaglee slip under the radar in this season’s two-year-old crop, but that all changed with a brilliant upset victory in Saturday’s Gr.3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m) on his home track.
It was hard to think of a more fitting victory on Saturday than when Karman Line dashed home out wide to take out the Lisa Chittick Plate (1400m).
The opening race at Caulfield on Saturday was named in honour of an iconic New Zealand-bred champion, and it was fitting that Dunkel won it with some of the stamina and toughness that top-flight Kiwi stayers are renowned for.
Underrated mare Saint Alice added valuable winning black type to her blossoming career record when she took out the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Equine Kaimai Stakes (2000m) in a blanket finish.
A proven Group One star in her homeland, Kiwi mare Campionessa added valuable Australian black-type to her CV with a determined win in Saturday’s A$300,000 Gr.2 Carlton Draught Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.
Respected racing journalist and administrator Dave Bradford passed away peacefully in Auckland on Thursday, aged 91.
Katrina and Simon Alexander celebrated one of their most satisfying moments on a racetrack with La Crique’s triumphant turnaround in the Gr.1 Trackside Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) on Saturday.
