Bold front-running mare Pride Of Jenni broke her rivals hearts under a daring Declan Bates ride to score a thrilling victory in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
Seasoned sprinter Packing Rockstar has been a long-time performer for trainer Lauren Brennan, and the eight-year-old continued to show his class when scoring in the Flying Mullet Sports Bar 1400 at Tauranga on Saturday.
The Andrew Forsman-trained Mr Mojo Risin’ scored a well-deserved second career victory when successful at The Valley on Friday night.
Less than a week after Mr Brightside’s gallant effort when beaten a nose into second in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley, connections were back at the inner-city venue to watch another New Zealand bred son of Bullbars.
New Zealand has held a strong influence on the A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) since it was added to Sydney’s spring itinerary four years ago, and top-class Matamata mare Legarto has the opportunity to add to that record at Rosehill on Saturday.
The familiar colours of Lib Petagna will be carried by Kalapour at Flemington on Saturday in a last-gasp bid for a spot in Tuesday’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Roger James and Robert Wellwood have some promising three-year-olds entered for Tauranga on Saturday, but the Cambridge trainers are keeping a close eye on the weather in the lead-up to the meeting.
New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson is looking forward to raising the bar even higher with his exciting five-year-old One Bold Cat, who took his career to a new level in Saturday’s $80,000 Mode Technology Feilding Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham.
Leading New Zealand rider Opie Bosson was enjoying a leisurely start to the day in Melbourne on Sunday after not quite getting the results he was looking for on the first day of the massive Melbourne Cup Carnival 24 hours earlier.
There will be a strong Kiwi flavour in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Derby Day this Saturday.
Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan is hoping a change of tactics will see Semper Magico return to the winner’s circle at Trentham on Saturday when the in-form galloper contests the Mode Technology Feilding Cup (2100m).
The connections of Classic contender Luberon can breathe easy again after the gifted filly produced a flawless trial performance on the synthetic track at Cambridge on Thursday.
