News

With his second Ready to Run Sale draft about to go through the Karaka sale ring, Matamata horseman Kurtis Pertab could hardly have hoped for a better start to one of his most important weeks of the year.

Kevin Myers’ stable successfully defended its crown in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) with rising staying star Aljay prevailing in a driving finish at Riccarton dominated by Central Districts raiders.

There was drama aplenty around Legarto’s triumph in Monday’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on Monday – all of it before the field jumped.

Sabin Kirkland was in a buoyant mood at Riccarton on Monday after his gelding Buoyant comfortably took out the Gr.3 Stewards Stakes (1200m).

With New Zealand thoroughbreds excelling offshore and overseas buyers flocking back after a two-year absence, vendors have plenty of reasons to be upbeat in the countdown to this week’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale at Karaka – and none more so than Kit Brooks.

A small field will work in favour of hot-pot Legarto’s bid to extend her winning sequence to four when she steps out in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday.

A punt taken on Deerfield as a younger proposition continues to pay dividends for the Bambry family with the promise of more to come from the durable nine-year-old.

Until last month, Bruce Tapper had never trained a black-type winner. On Saturday, he has two decent chances to win a Group One classic.

Kevin Myers’ quest for a third victory in the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) could be undone by a horse he provided to his nephew Ashley Meadows in generous circumstances.

Four-year-old mare Toregene might not be straightforward, but the daughter of Mongolian Khan has the undoubted ability.

The progeny of Mick Price’s 2015 Victoria Derby winner Tarzino appears to be the source of another staying prospect for his flourishing Cranbourne stable in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr.