Strapping two-year-old colt Dapper has confirmed his place in the Doubletree By Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Pukekohe on January 21 with a comfortable victory in the Norwegian Park 1200 at the same venue on Sunday.
The thoroughbred world is mourning the death of Sir Patrick Hogan, who has passed away in Waikato Hospital after a period of ill health.
Leading filly Prowess will kick start her summer preparation when she steps out in a hot trial at Matamata on Friday.
Christmas festivities will take a back seat to racing commitments for champion jockey Opie Bosson this year.
Group One winner Imperatriz is on track to head to the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) at Te Rapa on New Year’s Day following her 850m trial at Te Awamutu on Tuesday.
Lisa Latta should get a good guide to how the rehabilitation of top stayer Platinum Invador is going when he joins stablemate Charms Star in the Gr.3 SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m) on Saturday.
New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock and brothers Noel and Ron Stanley have enjoyed a three-decade long association and success continues to roll for the trio.
Progressive New Zealand-bred galloper Kissinger provided further evidence of his staying prowess when he produced a sustained home straight burst to comfortably score his first stakes success in Saturday’s Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m)
Manawatu trainer Stephen Nickalls was overwhelmed with excitement after Chase ran home for third in the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.
Relief was an over-riding emotion in the Dragon Leap camp following the six-year-old’s stunning performance at Pukekohe Park to end a lengthy winless streak.
The Roydon Bergerson-trained filly has breezed through her latest outing to be in the running to back up in the Gr.3 Lawn Master Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni.
A lengthy round trip to Woodville this week successfully served a dual purpose in Janelle Millar’s countdown to a top-flight target with her talented mare Zola Express.
