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There You Go rockets to 1000 Guineas favouritism

Visiting Cambridge filly There You Go firmed into the clear favourite for next month’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton after dominating her rivals in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton. The Tony Pike-trained daughter of Niagara had turned plenty of heads when she broke her maiden status in effortless fashion over 1400m at Riccarton earlier in the month, smashing the clock in the process. That day There You Go dominated proceedings from in f...

Gunstock enhances Derby credentials

Three-year-old Gunstock shot to the top of Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) markets as a $4.60 chance when proving too good for his rivals in the Gr.3 Neds Classic (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Prepared by Caulfield trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, who are avid fans of the colt’s late Cambridge Stud sire Tavistock, Gunstock relished the addition of blinkers for the first time and will head straight to the Derby on October 30 at Flemington. Ridden by Jye McNeil, Gunstock, the $3.80 favourite...

Savy Yong Blonk too crisp in Livamol

A picture-perfect ride by Danielle Johnson ensured quality staying mare Savy Yong Blonk was given every opportunity to succeed at Hastings on Saturday and she duly delivered with an outstanding victory in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m). The Jamie Richards-trained six-year-old was touted as one of the major prospects in an even field, starting the $8.30 fourth favourite after opening her spring campaign with an eye-catching late run for sixth behind Callsign Mav in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400...

Two Illicit too good in Hastings feature sprint

Noted fresh-up performer Two Illicit provided another example of her undoubted ability when she cruised to victory in the Gr. 3 Red Badge Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings. The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained five-year-old was having her first run since an unsuccessful two-race campaign in Queensland winter campaign and came into the race without a trial to fit her for her raceday return. That didn’t matter to the daughter of Jimmy Choux as she settled beautifully in midfield for rider...

Honoring a family legacy

Vicki and Terry Pascoe’s latest breeding success has been generations in the making. 30 odd years ago NZTBA Councillor Vicki Pascoe and her husband Terry established Club Med Lodge in Taupiri. Not long after they acquired a stakes winning mare Amrica (Amalgam [USA ] -Frabrica) to help get themselves established. Bred by Haunui Farm, Amrica won six races including the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders Stakes and Gr.3 Wellington Stakes before going on to being the dam of the good McGinty colt Greenback. Sh...

$2 million stakes boost for Auckland racing

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) has announced it will be contributing over $2 million towards stakes at Ellerslie and Pukekohe Park this season. The contribution, which is over and above New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s minimums, comprises $930,000 previously committed by ATR and a further $1.1 million, making a total of $2.03m contributed by the Club. Wilcox said the announcement is the first step towards ATR honouring the commitments it made during the Club’s recent merger process. �...

Small breeders revelling in Thunderstruck success

Drinks were flowing at Epona Park on Saturday night, the boutique 40-acre property owned by Cambridge couple Tony Forlong and Jennifer Jones after they cheered home emerging star I’m Thunderstruck in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).  The pair bred and initially raced the son of Shocking, who became the second individual Group One winner for the Rich Hill Stud stallion and his 15th stakes winner to date.  A chartered accountant originally based in Auckland, Forlong’s passion f...

Vernanme back to his best in Matamata Cup

Topweight Vernanme proved too tough for his rivals when he produced a gritty effort to take out Saturday’s Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m). The Stephen Marsh-trained six-year-old came into the race off a confidence boosting fresh-up run for third at Hastings last month, after trialling nicely before launching his spring campaign. Asked to carry the 60kg topweight for the feature event at Matamata, rider Craig Grylls gave the son of O’Reilly an economic run in the trail behind pace...

Magic result for Pratt and Hudson at Hawera

Underrated veteran mare Magic Incanto provided both trainer Fred Pratt and rider Mereana Hudson with a major career milestone when she upset the applecart to take out the Gr.3 Wyndspelle @ Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera. The nine-year-old daughter of Per Incanto thrived in the tricky Heavy10 track conditions as she freewheeled out in front before turning for home with a handy break on her nearest pursuers. Kept up to the mark by Hudson, Magic Incanto never looke...

Cox Plate-bound Probabeel heads bumper Richards double

Outstanding mare Probabeel landed her fourth Group One win when showing all her tenacity to narrowly prevail in the Gr.1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield.  The Jamie Richards-trained five-year-old rallied under Brett Prebble as the pair were forced to make their run closer to the fence to deny Nonconformist by a nose, with hot-favourite Zaaki a well-held 1.85 lengths away in third. The daughter of Savabeel relished the Good 3 conditions, recording a slick 2:01.51 for the 2000m journey a...

I’m Thunderstruck storms to Toorak victory

Quality four-year-old I'm Thunderstruck confirmed himself as a rising star of Australian racing by beating some of the best milers in the land in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday at just his eighth start. Luckless in the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke (1400m) last month, the Kiwi import was sent out the $3.20 favourite and barged his way to victory under a brave Jye McNeil ride. The son of Shocking withstood the late challenge of New Zealand bred mare Tofane, who was gallant in ...

NZB Breeze Ups Scheduled to Take Place Next Week

New Zealand Bloodstock’s Breeze Ups will go ahead as scheduled at Te Rapa on 11 and 12 October.New Zealand Bloodstock and the Waikato Racing Club have been given confirmation to stage the 2021 Breeze Ups at Te Rapa Racecourse under Alert Level 3, should the current Hamilton city border restrictions remain in place.Operating under Alert Level 3 restrictions, in addition to New Zealand Bloodstock staff and contractors, the following persons are authorised to attend the Breeze Ups:Consignors and ...

Sally Waters – Equine Breeding Course Pioneer

Sally Waters has always had a passion for horses and for empowering young people through education. This month she is stepping down from her post as education officer after over 20 years of service. In 2001, Waters took on the role of ‘Education Officer’ for the Waikato Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association. This was an ideal opportunity to combine her Bachelor of Education and Diploma in Teaching qualifications with her active interest in the thoroughbred industry. After testing the paramate...

Mana Nui impressive in Hawke’s Bay Guineas

Despite providing trainer Chad Ormsby with some mid-race jitters, promising three-year-old colt Mana Nui delivered when it counted as he claimed victory in the Gr.2 Dundeel At Arrowfield Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). The son of No Nay Never had cleared maiden ranks at his last start at Te Rapa but went into Saturday’s Hastings feature off a four week break since that effort in early September. Ormsby had asked rider Vinnie Colgan to try and ride the colt up on the pace, however an early speed...

Plan comes to fruition for Justacanta

A thrilling victory by Justacanta in Saturday’s Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1410m) at Flemington saw the successful culmination of a plan hatched by trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy after the now eight-year-old had completed his summer campaign in March this year. A model of consistency over his 47 New Zealand starts, where he won six races and was placed a further 20 times, including at Group Three level, the son of Per Incanto had reached an awkward place in the handicaps with his owners of ...

Elusive Express claims Edward Manifold

Kiwi import Elusive Express justified favourite punters confidence when winning the Gr.2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m) at Flemington on Saturday for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman. The daughter of Jakkalberry caught the eye when closing for third in her previous start in the Gr.2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) and was perfectly ridden by Jye McNeil on Saturday. Sitting just behind the speed before angling clear in the straight, the lightly-tried filly was strong through the line and could ...

Cox Plate calling Mav after Windsor Park victory

Hometown hero Callsign Mav booked his ticket for a shot at the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley later this month when he took out the second leg of the Hawke’s Bay triple crown on Saturday, the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings. The John Bary-trained son of Atlante had scored in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) a fortnight ago and went into Saturday’s contest as the warm $1.80 favourite to make it two Group One wins in succession. Ridden positively by regular pilot Jonathan R...

Group One win for Tivaci’s Never Been Kissed

Waikato Stud-bred and raced filly Never Been Kissed proved too strong in Saturday’s Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, with the elite-level success coming at just her fourth start. The victory by Never Been Kissed was a breakthrough for young High Chaparral stallion Tivaci, who stands at Waikato Stud and is making every post a winner now his eldest crop have turned three. Ridden by Regan Bayliss, Never Been Kissed tracked the leaders throughout and show...

DUNSTAN BREEDER OF THE MONTH | Bill Gleeson

The 2021/22 racing season has started on a high for Wellfield Lodge Director Bill Gleeson who has two stakes winners to his credit just a month into the term. Gleeson bred Wakari (Vespa x Denlee) who scored an upset victory earlier this month in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and is the co-breeder of House of Cartier (Alamosa x Shez Sinsational) who was at her winning best last weekend in the Gr.3 Metric Mile (1600m) at Awapuni. For good measure Colorado Star (Alamosa x Elegant Emera...

Elephant’s fan club growing

Quirkily named racehorse Elephant (Shocking [AUS]-Ticklish) is developing a bit of a cult following. It could be down to being named after a pachyderm or his ability on the racetrack with his record of six wins from seven starts, but whatever it is his breeder and part-owner Andrew Fowler is extremely proud of him. “It’s just the craziest thing, I can’t believe it,” he said. “Everyone seems to love him and be following him. “He’s becoming a bit of a cult figure I have had people co...

Climate Change - Adapt or Die

Read the latest installment in Sally Linton's series about how horses owners can manage climate change effects on their property....

Banquo a valuable addition to Waikato Stud stallion roster

Champions of the colonial bred, Waikato Stud have added another beautifully bred Southern Hemisphere stallion Banquo (AUS) (Written Tycoon[AUS]-Noondie[AUS]) to their ranks. By Written Tycoon, out of the winning Flying Spur (AUS) mare Noondie, Banquo was the winner of two races and had five placings from 16 starts. From the stable of Danny O’Brien, he started twice as a two-year-old, and at three ran second first-up in a maiden race at Sale. He followed that placing up with his maiden win and ...

Online world record set as Avantage commands $4.1 million

Nine-time Group One winner Avantage has fetched a whopping $4.1 million when sold to Tom Magnier of global breeding giant Coolmore via New Zealand Bloodstock’s online platform Gavelhouse Plus. The stunning figure establishes a new world record for any horse sold online, a growing trend in the bloodstock industry. The daughter of Fastnet Rock is the third highest-priced mare ever sold via auction in the Southern Hemisphere behind Milanova, who fetched A$5 million in 2008, and the A$4.2 million...

Mav magic claiming second Group One

The first Group One race of the season has been run and won with Callsign Mav (Atlante x Raadisi) once again taking out the Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday. For breeders Windsor Park Stud it’s a welcome feeling of groundhog day with the five-year-old son of Atlante recording his sixth win. “We are pretty chuffed really,” said Windsor Park Stud stud master Rodney Schick. “To do that again this year was great, it was a gutsy run to get out there and win like that.” Callsig...

Avantage to sell through Gavelhouse Plus

Nine-time Group One winner Avantage, whose racing career was brought to a sudden halt on Friday after suffering a tendon injury, will be sold through New Zealand Bloodstock’s Gavelhouse Plus in an online auction that starts on Sunday 19 September and finishes at 7pm New Zealand time on Wednesday 22 September. Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis confirmed that the NZ$210,000 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale graduate, who won 16 of her 28 starts and $2.16 million in prizemoney, would be traded through the on...