Sandown specialist Hard To Cross made it four wins from five starts at the venue when he posted a comfortable victory in the Benchmark84 Tile Importer Handicap (1600m) on Saturday.
In the process the Patrick Payne-prepared son of All Too Hard headed home a kiwi-bred one-two with seven-year-old Jimmy Choux gelding Trosettee, a stablemate of the winner, charging home late to claim second.
Progressive galloper Devastate bounced back to winning form when he prevailed in a thrilling three-way finish to the feature race at Pukekohe, the Jamieson Park 1500.
The four-year-old son of Vadamos displayed all his fighting qualities as he held out a stirring challenge from Zaila and the late finishing Accidental Tourist to register his fifth career win for a large group of owners that includes the sponsor of the race, Jamieson Park.
Days after Copper Belt Lodge went public with the news that Stephen Gray will return to New Zealand’s training ranks alongside his distinguished father Kevin, the opening race at Trentham on Saturday unveiled an exciting young prospect for the soon-to-resume partnership.
A superbly judged front-running ride by Zac Spain paved the way for five-year-old Tavistock gelding Pudding to score handsomely at Sandown over 1800m.
Five-year-old mare Maracana recorded a timely victory in the Gr.3 Drinkwise Mile (1600m) at Doomben on Saturday, with the daughter of Shamexpress set to go under the hammer at this week’s Gold Coast broodmare sale.
The Manawatu ITM Awapuni Hurdle (3000m) has not been a kind race to quality hurdler English Gambler, and the week leading into his third shot at the $60,000 feature at Woodville this Sunday has caused more headaches for his trainer Lauren Brennan.
Lisa Latta hopes a gear change might help turn around a disappointing campaign for Prioress as she heads to Trentham to defend her title in Saturday’s $50,000 The Metro Interiors Autumn Sprint Final (1200m).
It’s been a tough road for Stephen Gray over recent times as Singapore racing has gone from racing powerhouse to closure in October, but now he’s back home and ready for the next chapter in his training career.
Stakes performer Conor O’Ceirin will take his first steps toward upcoming feature race targets when he resumes at Trentham on Saturday.
Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal’s star jumpers Nedwin and The Cossack will line-up over the weekend, but they won’t feature over the fences.
Promising filly Star Shadow has the chance to break new ground for New Zealand’s leading stable when she lines up as a hot favourite in Saturday’s Listed Staphanos at Novara Park Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe.
Talented three-year-old stayer First Innings has booked a place in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) after coming from last to land a 2180m three-year-old handicap at Ipswich on Wednesday.
The Andrew Forsman-trained son of Contributer went back to last under jockey Jim Byrne and crept into the race shortly before rounding the home turn, making his run widest on the tight-turning Queensland track to score a resounding two length victory over a competitive field.
