Handy three-year-old Lantern Way returned to his best at Wanganui on Saturday with the aid of a gear change paving the way for a visit to the winners’ enclosure following the running of the Commdives NZ 3YO (1340m).
Two years after taking out the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) with Carolina Reaper, Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall have repeated and surpassed that result with a one-three finish headed by the rising star Snazzytavi.
Progressive filly Tomodachi provided a fitting result in the opening event at Te Rapa on Saturday, a day where one of the greats of the New Zealand training ranks was remembered after the passing of Dave “DJ” O’Sullivan twenty-four hours earlier.
The racing industry is mourning the death of training great Dave O’Sullivan at the age of 90.
Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are heading into Saturday’s meeting at Te Rapa with the fixed-odds favourites for both of the thoroughbred mecca’s traditional flagship races.
Riverton horsewoman Kelly Shearing will head north to Wingatui on Sunday with a trio of runners, headlined by last start winner In Vogue in the Otago Daily Times 65 2200m.
Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor played a starring role at Flemington on Anzac Day, siring the quinella in the A$200,000 Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) with his three-year-old daughters Ahuriri and Alma Rise.
Peter Didham was left scratching his head following Danjuro’s poor showing in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham earlier this month, and has decided to go back to the drawing board with the talented three-year-old.
Notable black-type performances in both New Zealand and Australia on ANZAC Day may have set the tone for a big trans-Tasman weekend for Andrew Forsman.
Hall of Fame trainer Graeme Rogerson is hoping to see his distinctive red, blue and green colours feature prominently at Te Rapa on both of the next two Saturdays.
Impendabelle proved herself at the highest-level last campaign, and the talented filly is poised to strike in a fresh state in Saturday’s Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa.
Cambridge trainer Lauren Brennan will head to Te Rapa on Saturday with a couple of in-form runners for breeder-owner Greg McCarthy, and she is expecting them both to go well.
