Group One-winning thoroughbred trainer Ben Foote kicked off what he hopes to be a big weekend in perfect fashion at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night when his greyhound He’s All Go took out the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby Final (457m).
Tony Pike believes the big, roomy Trentham track will suit his promising three-year-old Witz End right down to the ground in Saturday’s Gr.2 Life Direct Wellington Guineas (1400m).
Te Akau Racing’s The Mighty Spar made it back-to-back wins in the Holster Engineering Lally And Symes South Waikato Cup (2000m) at Matamata on Wednesday.
The well-related Naxos may lack size but possesses a determined nature that was emphasised when successful at the first time of asking last month at Tauranga.
Phantom calling races in his childhood bedroom is a key memory for Justin Evans, and he is pinching himself that he is now able to live out his lifelong dream of being a race caller.
Stephen Autridge has triumphed in many of New Zealand’s most iconic races, and the Matamata horseman would rate a victory in Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand Oaks (2400m) among the headliners.
Terri Rae hopes to continue a flow of winning performances by her consistent team of gallopers at Ashburton on Thursday.
Imwonderfultonight has been a standout performer for Cambridge trainer Sam Mynott this season and she is hoping her mare can be rewarded for her consistency with victory in Saturday’s Listed Lincoln Farms Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham.
Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb scored black-type last start when runner-up in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) on her home track and trainer Kim Reid is hoping she can go one better in the Gr.3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.
The inaugural NZTR innovation races have been a massive hit this season and there is still one to come, with southern trainers getting their chance at racing for $350,000 in the Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) at Riccarton next month.
A Group One challenge awaits Red Sea next month following the youngster’s runaway success in the AKW Farrier Two-Year-Old (1200m) at Matamata on Wednesday.
Clinton Isdale will beat a familiar and successful path to Wellington this week with his under-rated sprinter Is That So.
