News

Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie has crossed the Tasman for a second tilt at the Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool on Sunday, four years on from a highly creditable first attempt.

A busy Saturday afternoon is looming for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, who has 19 runners entered across the Te Rapa and Wanganui meetings including strong chances in all four black-type events.

Kylie Hoskin is hoping she has the luck of the Irish at Te Rapa on Saturday, having secured expat Samantha Wynne to ride Zaila in the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m).

Handicap conditions won’t be in the favour of middle-distance specialist Defibrillate when the classy gelding contests the Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m) on Saturday.

Leading Otago trainers Brian and Shane Anderton are set to make their presence felt with two well-credentialled runners in Sunday’s $50,000 Happy Hire Cromwell Cup (2030m).

There has been a massive injection of stakes money to the racing calendar this year and Matamata trainer Wayne Hillis is keen to get his hands on some of it.

Johnathan Parkes has had many memorable wins throughout his riding career, but his victory aboard Chase at Otaki on Thursday would feature right up there sentimentally.

Emphatic last-start winner Grail Seeker will lead the Wexford Stables charge at Te Rapa on Saturday where she will step into stakes company, contesting the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m).

Sindacato has some unfinished business in the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final (1500m) and he will be looking to rectify that at Pukekohe next month.

Explosive finishes are becoming a habit for Geriatrix, and co-trainer Andrew Scott is hopeful the eye-catching colt can produce another in Thursday’s Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki.

Cromwell holds fond memories for Lionel Dobbs and the Orari trainer is hoping that continues at their two-day meeting this weekend.

A successful first campaign will draw to a close on Thursday for future Group One hope Up The Anti when the promising three-year-old is stepped up in grade on his home track at Otaki.