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Cups future tipped for Snazzytavi

By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News DeskExpect to see promising stayer Snazzytavi feature prominently in next season’s Cups, that’s the call from co-trainer Graham Richardson following her win in the Gavelhouse.com 2000 at Matamata on Saturday.The daughter of Tavistock was having her first start over ground on her home track over the weekend and Richardson, who trains in partnership with Rogan Norvall, was impressed with her performance.In the hands of leading hoop Warren Kennedy, Snazzytavi...

Former Derby winner back to winning form in Avondale Cup

Talented stayer Asterix returned to the scene of his greatest triumph when he stormed home to take out the Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie.The injury-plagued son of Tavistock took out the 2022 edition of the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) but a string issues had hampered his progress since then.Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott and his ownership group, that includes former New Zealand cricketer Mark Greatbatch, have shown infinite patience with the now five-yea...

Wootton Bassett makes mark at Karaka

The first Wootton Bassett yearlings to be sold in New Zealand have made a big impression at Karaka this week, headed by a well-related filly that fetched $800,000 on Tuesday morning.Best known in our part of the world as the sire of multiple Group One winner and star Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Almanzor, Wootton Bassett is by the former Haunui Farm shuttler Iffraaj and was champion two-year-old in France in 2010.He started his stud career in France in 2012, but only began shuttling to the so...

Racetrack performance the key for Cunningham

By Kevin Robertson, LOVERACING.NZ News DeskCurraghmore principal Gordon Cunningham is quick to share what drives him as he prepares to present another quality draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale when it kicks off at Karaka at 10am this coming Sunday.The name Curraghmore is synonymous with some of the best Australasian racetrack performers of the past three decades with horses such as Efficient, Unforgotten, Mighty Boss, Tofane, First Seal, Ruthless Dame, No Compromise, Kov...

Faraglioni on song for Westbury Classic

The New Zealand racing industry is chomping at the bit to get to Ellerslie next week for the biggest show in town over Auckland Anniversary Weekend, and Levin trainer Josh Shaw is looking forward to being a part of the action.The Central Districts horseman will head north for the rich Karaka Millions race meeting with his star mare Faraglioni to tackle the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m), following her pleasing 1000m trial win at Foxton on Tuesday.The five-year-old mare has been a revelation for S...

All’s well second time around for No Compromise

No Compromise was a two-time winner from a handful of starts for Bill Thurlow before successfully continuing his career in Australia and now looks primed to star in his second stint for the Waverley trainer.The son of Pins, who is raced by Thurlow’s brother Grant and sister-in-law Patricia, will step out in Saturday’s Gr.1 Harcourts Team Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham and his previous performance suggests he can be a major player.No Compromise won five races from Chris Waller’s stable, ...

So Naive wins Karaka Millions dress rehearsal

By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ New DeskTrainers Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley will head to the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie in a fortnight with a bit more confidence with their juvenile So Naive following his win in the Stella Artois 1200 at the Auckland track on Sunday.The son of U S Navy Flag settled midfield and relaxed nicely for jockey Michale McNab, while race favourite Maracatu went head-to-head with pacemaker Hard Attack up front. The pair continued their dogfight down...

Fortune favours Forsman in Ellerslie opener

Ellerslie has been a happy hunting ground for Andrew Forsman is years past, and the Cambridge trainer was thrilled to find success swiftly during the track’s reopening meeting on Sunday.Of his five representatives, all but one finished in the top three, headlined by a classy front-running performance from Fortunate Son in the Bent Down On One Knee Ben Masters 1500m.A three-year-old son of U S Navy Flag, Fortunate Son was a promising 1400m victor on debut at Arawa Park in November and relished ...

Not An Option caps massive day for Cambridge Stud

A stirring win by Not An Option in the A$175,000 Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m) at Flemington was the icing on the cake of a spectacular New Year’s Day for his part-owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay.The Cambridge Stud couple’s black and gold colours had previously been carried two a pair of Group Two successes at Pukekohe. About Time delivered a fitting victory in the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m), which was previously known as the Royal Stakes and has this year been renamed in honour...

Top-flight homecoming for No Compromise

By Paul Vettise, LOVERACING.NZWell-performed stayer No Compromise will bid to add a home Group One title to match his Australian efforts when he opens the third stage of his career on Boxing Day.The son of Pins will take aim at Tuesday’s Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2050m) with Ryan Elliot booked to guide the seven-year-old’s fortunes.He began his career from the Waverley base of Bill Thurlow, who trained the gelding for brother Grant and sister-in-law Patricia to win twice before he ...

Snazzytavi tops rivals in dominant Te Rapa display

By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News DeskGraham Richardson is hoping a successful week for his female contingent can continue after Snazzytavi was a stand-out victor at Te Rapa on Saturday.The Cambridge Stud-owned mare impressed fresh-up when being caught late by Doddle over 1400m at Pukekohe, seeing her start a warm $3.60 favourite in the Rating 65 1400m event in the Waikato.Snazzytavi jumped positively from her wide draw but was soon restrained by ...

Shaw eyeing elite-level targets with Faraglioni

By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News DeskJosh Shaw tasted Group glory with Hinepara last year and he has got a craving for more.The Horowhenua horseman came close to tasting it again last Saturday when Faraglioni was runner-up behind Campionessa in the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and Shaw was duly rapt with the result.“I was pretty confident going into the race and I was rapt that she ran up to my confidence levels,” Shaw said.“The only question ...

Faraglioni ready for long-awaited stakes challenge

By Paul Vettise, LOVERACING.NZ News DeskJosh Shaw will head north this weekend in the hope of executing a long-term plan with his in-form mare Faraglioni.The Levin trainer set the daughter of El Roca for Saturday’s Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe nearly 12 months ago and recent form suggests she is firmly on target.“It’s been the goal since she raced there last December in the Stella Artois Final, it was worth a bit of money. The other f...

Faraglioni produces impressive Group Two audition

By Richard Edmunds, LOVERACING.NZ News DeskA stylish come-from-behind win in Saturday’s $50,000 Courtesy Ford Redcraze Bowl (1400m) at Trentham has put talented mare Faraglioni firmly on track for a black-type mission in the north later this month.The El Roca mare, who was bred by Arkle Bloodstock and Gordon Cunningham, made good progress through the grades last season with three wins, and her five-year-old preparation had kicked off with promising placings behind Express Yourself at Awapuni a...

Didham’s southern undertaking a dual purpose exercise

Paul Vettise, LOVERACING.NZ News DeskPeter Didham will be on a two-fold mission to Christchurch this month with his promising three-year-old Danjuro.The Awapuni trainer is firstly focussing on a crack at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 11, but is also mindful of the future benefits the southern venture will bring.Danjuro has earned his place in the age group feature with quality performances in his two appearances and the trip away will...

Kiwi-bred on target for Golden Eagle

LOVERACING.NZ News DeskNew Zealand-bred mare Ruthless Dame is on song for Saturday’s A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill according to trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.The daughter of Tavistock was runner-up in the A$2 million The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, giving her connections confidence to back her up this weekend in the rich feature.“We took her to the beach on Sunday morning and she trotted up nice and free. She is a good doer and has licked the bin. I ...

Wallace/Cooksley juveniles dominant at Pukekohe

By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News DeskByerley Park trainers Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley produced their promising contingent of juveniles to an impressive quinella in the Ellerslie Events 2YO 1100 at Pukekohe on Saturday. In a compact field of six, the Wallace/Cooksley stable presented half of the two-year-old field and managed to fill the first two placings with So Naïve and Toruk Makto respectively. A son of U S Navy Flag, So Naïve jumped from the inside draw and was hustl...

Feature mile targets await Malt Time

By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News DeskIt may have taken a few years and 21 starts, but trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy may have found Malt Time’s new pet distance.The seven-year-old mare, who had previously been kept to sprint distances, winning the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) last November, was tested over a mile for the first time in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings on Saturday, where she finishedrunner-up behind Mustang Valley.Her connections were imp...

Financier rewards Marsh’s belief with Hastings victory

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh was thrilled to see his consistent four-year-old Financier return to the winner’s circle in the Collier’s Commercial HB Premier (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday.The lightly-raced son of Tavistock settled midfield on the fence under a no-panic ride by Opie Bosson, and cruised through the field rounding the home turn to burst into contention at the 150m mark.Financier had been caught late when placing second to Jimmysstar on the first day of the Hawke’s Bay Spr...

Dimaggio hits it out of the park at Hastings

By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News DeskThe connections of Dimaggio are hoping their gelding is in for a big spring following his gritty win in the Hastings – Heart Of Hawke’s Bay Premier (1600m) on Saturday.Jumping well under jockey Kozzi Asano, the son of Almanzor went straight to the front and was shortly joined on his outside by local chance Gohugo.The pair went toe-to-toe for the remainder of the journey and Dimaggio was able to dig deep in the closing stages to see off his rival to win...

Bezique Riccarton bound after stylish win

By Kevin Robertson, LOVERACING.NZ News DeskLocal galloper Bezique has booked a ticket south later in the spring with a decisive, front-running victory over 1400m on his home track at Ruakaka on Saturday.The compact son of Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High had impressed in breaking maidens at the venue last month and showed he had made good progress since then for trainers Ken Rae and his daughter Krystal Williams.Taken straight to the front by rider Jasmine Fawcett, Bezique set up his own terms a...

Bezique victory a win of firsts

Rich Hill Stud is celebrating a first success for young resident sire Ace High following Bezique’s dashing victory on his home track at Ruakaka on Saturday.A son of the influential High Chaparral, Ace High was an Australian star during his racing career with a brace of top-flight victories from the Sydney stable of David Payne and has now made his mark early in his stallion career.“That was great, it’s really exciting and a fantastic feeling. That’s going to be the first of many winners ...

Firmer track key to Not An Option

Not An Option relished the Good 4 surface presented at Flemington on Saturday, with a strong win in the Brian Beattie Handicap (1420m).It was the sixth career victory for the Mike Moroney-trained gelding who sports the colours of Brendan and Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud, who race the five-year-old along with a host of prominent trans-Tasman owners.Given a peach of a ride by Patrick Moloney, Not An Option stalked the speed set by the Ben and JD Hayes-trained stablemates Monarch Of Egypt and Cross...

Ocean Park weanling draws Group One comparison

Gordon Cunningham is a man that knows a good Ocean Park.The Curraghmore principal has sold two of the stallion’s Group One winners Tofane and Kovalica and he was delighted to secure a colt by Ocean Park from the High Chaparral mare Rolling in Thedeep at Friday’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling & Broodmare Sale at Karaka.Presented by Windsor Park Stud as Lot 132, Cunningham went to $120,000 for the well-related colt and said he had similarities to recent Gr.1 Queensland Derby (24...

Mulcaster comes up trumps again with Kovalica Derby romp

The Chris Waller-trained Kovalica ran out an arrogant winner of the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, with the son of Ocean Park always travelling like the winner from the moment the barriers opened. The rising star became the third successive New Zealand-bred winner of the three-year-old feature, following Pinarello (2022) and Kukeracha (2021). Fittingly, Kukeracha, who also races in similar ownership, was back in the winner’s circle at Eagle Farm on Saturday ...