News

Northern hoop Ryan Elliot will head home to Horowhenua this weekend where he is favoured to bring home the lion’s share of the $300,000 purse in the Gr.1 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki on Saturday.

Matamata-trained mare Levante added a fourth Group One victory to her résumé when she defeated another class performer in La Crique to take out the Gr.1 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki.

The Ben and JD Hayes-trained Little Brose ran out a ready winner of the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Sandown on Saturday, the tenth time the Hayes surname has claimed Victoria’s premier two-year-old race.

Group Two winner Dragon Queen put her hand up for Australian assignments after winning the Lisa Chittick Plate (1400m) at Matamata on Saturday.

Manawatu horsewoman Tineke Balcombe came up smiling on her first raceday experience at Matamata on Saturday when Colorado Star won the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m).

Craig Zackey has regrettably called time on his brief and highly successful riding stint in New Zealand that included a memorable victory in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) aboard undefeated youngster Tokyo Tycoon.

The Chrissy Bambry-trained Chantilly Lace ran out an impressive winner of the Palamountains Animal Nutrition 2YO 1200 at Wanganui on Thursday and in the process provided her sire, US Navy Flag, with his first southern hemisphere winner.

A heavy track is not the surface Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson wants as he looks for a black-type pathway for two promising three-year-old fillies slated to race on Friday.

After a dazzling performance in winning Saturday’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, connections of star four-year-old Imperatriz have decided to raise the bar.

Roger James and Robert Wellwood have one confirmed Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) contender and will take their time before deciding if they double their hand.

Jockey Michael Dee has been booked for the plum ride on top class filly Legarto in next month’s Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m).

Stephen Marsh will work through his future options with the in-form Zee Falls after she runs at Pukekohe on Saturday with handicap and weight-for-age avenues to consider.