News

Another chapter in the rivalry between top fillies Illicit Dreams and Viva Vienna will be written on Saturday when the pair meet once more in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton.

The final day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival has been a happy hunting ground for Alby MacGregor and Times Ticking, and the Opaki trainer is hoping that continues on Saturday.

Pride will be an over-riding emotion for Mark Chittick when I Wish I Win goes to the post for Saturday’s A$20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Randwick.

Like many trainers around the country, Vicki Prendergast has been frustrated by the wet weather of late, but is welcoming the sunny forecast leading into the final leg of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival at Hastings on Saturday.

Group Three performer Moeraki made a pleasing return to his homeland on Tuesday when winning his 800m trial at Matamata.

Exciting three-year-old Lupo Solitario is exciting trainer Danica Guy ahead of his first tilt at stakes level next weekend.

Enthusiastic’s debut run last month was better than it reads on paper and, with a slice of luck this time, is expected to show his true worth on Wednesday when he returns to Taupo.

Sydney is calling La Crique following her placing in last Saturday’s Listed Matamata Cup (1600m),

New Plymouth trainer Kim Reid is looking at the New Zealand Cup carnival with a fair bit of regret following Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s dominant resuming victory at Hawera on Saturday.

A journey down to Invercargill’s Ascot Park Racecourse paid off for Bruce Tapper on Sunday, with the Timaru horseman claiming the Washrite & Hyde Landscaping Winton Cup (1400m) with Redford.

It’s been a frustrating last few months for the connections of Prowess, but they were relieved to finally see their mare back at the races on Saturday.

Petrucci made the perfect start to her preparation at her home track of Matamata on Saturday when taking out the Colchester Engineering LTD (1200m).