James McDonald guides True Enough to victory in the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie. Photo credit: Trish Dunell What a difference a year makes. Expat New Zealand jockey James McDonald rode True Enough to victory in the Thames
Visiting Cambridge mare Concert Hall was back to her brilliant best when she demolished her opposition in Saturday’s Gr.3 Aberdeen On Broadway Manawatu Cup (2300m). The Joan Egan-bred and owned five-year-old had been slowly building to her peak form in
Just 12 years after riding his first winner, James McDonald is about to become the youngest person to be inducted to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. When his induction takes place at the Hall of Fame gala dinner in Hamilton on May 3, the Sydney-based
Pinmedown winning the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day last year. Photo: Trish Dunell Fresh from winning with all of his three runners at Flemington on Saturday, Mike Moroney has shifted his focus to New Zealand. The trans-Tas
Stakes winner Rock On Wood. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) In-form Waikato jockey Ryan Elliot hopes to be celebrating his first taste of black-type success for the season when he has Christmas with his family in Levin. The highly t
Leading New Zealand stallion Tavistock died at the weekend Cambridge Stud has announced. The 14-year-old son of Montjeu suffered a life threatening injury in a freak paddock accident eight weeks ago. “Although he made significant progress from the i
Rory Hutchings reunites with his old boss Graeme Rogerson at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. Hutchings, now living in Australia, will ride Contessa Vanesa in the Zabeel Classic. The 23-year-old, who last rode on raceday on January 12, has battled with his weight
Promising three-year-old Not Usual Litening opens his winning account at Te Rapa. Photo credit: Trish Dunell A comfortable maiden victory by Not Usual Litening at Te Rapa on Saturday has co-trainer Murray Baker looking at stepping his charge up to a great
Mick Dee will ride Mike Moroney’s star colt Harlech in the Listed Shaw’s Wires Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. Melbourne-based Dee rode Sheezallmine to victory in the Stewards at Riccarton last month. Dee will ride
Matamata trainer Danica Guy knows that promising four-year-old Germanicus has the ability of a Group horse. But she is also wary that the four-year-old gelding has a few wayward tendencies. The emerging miler will contest the Lodge Residential (1600m) at
Awapuni trainer Gary Vile will be vying to win his fifth Gr.3 Aberdeen on Broadway Manawatu Cup (2300m) at his home track on Saturday. The Palmerston North horseman has previously won the race with All Square (2005), Ransomed (2012), Jacksstar (2016), and
Hastings trainer John Bary would have preferred another week of conditioning under Callsign Mav’s belt heading into Saturday’s Rich Hill Stud Premier 3YO (1400m) at Awapuni but expects his charge to be competitive nonetheless. The Atlante geld
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is happy with comeback galloper Chocante but has no expectation of a winning return in the Gr.2 Kamada Park Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on Saturday. The Group One performer strained a tendon in the Listed T
In-form Waikato jockey Ryan Elliot hopes to be celebrating his first taste of black-type success for the season when he has Christmas with his family in Levin. The highly talented 20-year-old wound up last season with a personal best tally of 60 wins, inc
Cambridge trainer Frank Ritchie is looking to plunder the rich spoils on offer at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day with a pair of stable runners. Impressive last start winner Kya Khoob Lagti Ho will contest the Dunstan Feeds Stayers Championship (2400m), whi
Cambridge trainer Tony Pike believes rules around late scratchings need to be reviewed after he was fined $350 for late-scratching Intrigue at Te Rapa on Saturday. Pike made the call to scratch the Group Two performer from her 1600m contest due to firm tr
After narrowly avoiding disaster as he left the starting gates, promising galloper Beauden showed just what a talent he could become over a staying journey when he demolished his rivals in Saturday’s open 2000m event at Awapuni. The Team Rogerson-traine
Te Rapa winner American Princess is likely to be put aside for a short break as her trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman look ahead to some of the late summer two-year-old features with the impressive debutant. An eye-catching win at the Cambridge tri
Justamaiz and a jubilant Sam Spratt return to the Te Rapa birdcage Photo credit: Trish Dunell Local galloper Justamaiz left no excuses for his rivals as he led all the way to capture the day’s feature staying contest at Te Rapa, the Gr.3 SKY CITY Ham
A switch in plans has led Group One performer Aalaalune to target Saturday’s Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni to open up options at Ellerslie’s Christmas carnival. Trainers Graeme, Debbie and Bailey Rogerson changed tack from t