Punters got it spot on in the feature event at Te Rapa on Saturday, as favourite Dragon Leap defeated second elect Skew Wiff in a thrilling finish to the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m).
Five-year-old gelding Marquess has made it four wins in succession for trainer James Cummings after narrowly prevailing in the Mounties Group Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill as he stepped up to Saturday company for the first time.
Affable jockey Harry Coffey was keen to push his case for three votes in the Scobie Breasley Medal voting after a ground-saving ride to land the spoils on Duke Of Hastings in the Ladbrokes Yard Comments Handicap (2500m) at The Valley on Saturday.
Te Akau made their presence known in the south on Thursday, with the Matamata operation’s southern-based horses claiming a hat-trick on the seven-race card at Riccarton Park Synthetic.
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh goes into Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa quietly confident he can spring a surprise with his runners El Vencedor and Jodelin Gal.
Trainer Stephen Ralph is banking on Tahuroa Height’s fondness for Te Rapa to see him in the thick of the jumping action on Saturday.
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott are hoping an improved track and an impressive first-up victory will see their classy galloper Dragon Leap add the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (100m) to his record on Saturday at Te Rapa.
Tavi Mac’s little sister is poised to confirm her place as best racehorse of the family.
A healthy dose of realism is keeping Darryn Weatherley’s feet firmly on the ground as far as spring plans for stable star Pier are concerned.
Roger Allen couldn’t believe his luck when he saw the fields for Awapuni on Saturday.
Promising filly Quintessa continued her winning ways at Taupo on Wednesday when taking out the Taupo Pak N Save Fillies (1100m).
Matamata horseman Kurtis Pertab will head to Te Rapa on Saturday with just the one runner, but he is quietly confident one is enough to bring home a winning cheque.
