News

New Zealand’s leading stable, Te Akau Racing, begun their march towards spring racing with the return of several of their big hitters at the trials on Cambridge’s synthetic surface on Tuesday morning.

Leading stallion Per Incanto will serve a limited book of mares at best in the 2023 breeding season after suffering a leg injury in a paddock accident.

Shaun Phelan is hoping an extended stay at Ruakaka will be further rewarded at Saturday’s Whangarei meeting where he has a number of strong contenders.

One of the most anticipated match-ups in New Zealand racing will occur at Trentham on Saturday when top jumpers The Cossack and West Coast clash in the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (5500m).

Local trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman went home happy men from Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday after scoring four wins and reclaiming the lead for the South Island Trainers’ Premiership.

England’s Test Cricket Coach Brendon McCullum hasn’t had a lot to cheer about over the last month, but trainer Kurtis Pertab is hoping to change that on Wednesday.

The legacy of the late Peter Setchell had a fitting final flourish on Wednesday night, producing the sale-topping lot in the 2023 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus. Group Three-winning mare Ticket To Ride was the final horse to ever be sold from the estate of the respected breeder, who bred a remarkable number of top-line performers including Australian Horse of the Year Red Anchor and fellow multiple Group One winner Oopik.

Cambridge trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray had the perfect day at their local meeting on Thursday, scoring three wins from as many starts on the synthetic surface.

New Zealand-bred filly Dolphin Skin will be vying to seal a spot in the Gr.1 Victoria Oaks (2500m) at Flemington in November when she heads to the Melbourne track on Saturday.

JJ Rayner will head to Trentham with two strong chances and events on Saturday will determine whether she ventures further afield with the pair next month.

Hurry Cane tested his jumping talents against the best in Australia earlier this year and he has returned to New Zealand in search of an elusive prestige jumps scalp.

Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are happy to take their shot at a rare winter feature race double.