Rugged performer The Buffer showed all his fighting attributes when he forced his way between runners late in the piece to claim victory in the Coupland’s Bakeries Mile Trial (1400m) at Riccarton.
With six wins in three different countries within the space of 18 hours, Te Akau Racing had a weekend that was extraordinary even by their standards.
Versatile galloper Taramea Lad provided ample evidence he will be a force to be reckoned with in the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) in November with a stout staying performance to take out the Waimakariri Businesses North Canterbury Cup (2000m) at Riccarton.
Rising star Antino put a nightmare Melbourne debut behind him with a comfortable return to winning form in Sunday’s Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1500m).
Lightning may have struck twice for some of the connections of multiple Group One winner Mr Brightside, who have now won four races in a row with another promising galloper sourced from New Zealand.
The miserable weather that hit Hastings ahead of Saturday’s eagerly anticipated Arrowfield Stud Plate Day led to track downgrades, high-profile late scratchings and plenty of disappointment, but Lisa Latta was less fazed than most.
Classy customer Trobriand defied a late drift in betting to run out a worthy winner of the Rangiora New World Guineas Trial (1400m) at Riccarton.
The opening race on a star-studded card at Randwick on Saturday was dominated by New Zealand-breds, with Loving Cilla and Philipsburg running first and second in the A$120,000 Midway Handicap (1800m).
Star Kiwi mare Imperatriz has once again showed what a blistering turn of speed she has with a sizzling finish to comfortably claim the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Friday night.
All eyes were on standout Satono Aladdin gelding Tokyo Tycoon in the lead-up to Saturday’s Gr.2 Animal Health Direct Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings, but another son of the same stallion stepped out of his shadow and stole the show.
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh was thrilled to see his consistent four-year-old Financier return to the winner’s circle in the Collier’s Commercial HB Premier (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday.
Jockey Blake Shinn concluded a satisfying evening when he guided lightly raced filly Coeur Volante to an impressive victory in the Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on Friday night.
