Exciting mare It’s Business Time (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) extended her winning sequence to five with another star turn in Saturday’s Coupland’s Bakeries Mile Trial (1400m) at Riccarton.

Underrated staying mare Eulogy Show (NZ) (Highly Recommended) has enhanced her prospects of getting a start in the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) next month with an unflinching effort to take out the NZB Airfreight Road To Jericho (3000m) at Riccarton.

Byerley 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.

It’s a long trip from Riverton to Riccarton but travelling up with two stakes contenders and a Group One performer made it a little easier for Kelvin Tyler.

Highly Vindicated (NZ) (Highly Recommended) was rewarded for his consistency when breaking through for his maiden victory in the MacMillan Accountants 1560 at Arawa Park on Thursday.

Carey Hobbs has been at the helm of Taranaki Racing for nearly four decades, but he has decided to hand over the reins as he quietly transitions into retirement.

Riccarton’s Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) has played a key part in Lisa Latta’s Group One preparations in the past, and the Awapuni trainer is using the same formula again with Lantern Way on Saturday.

Exciting filly Molly Bloom will look to continue her path towards New Zealand Cup week when she contests a competitive Gr.2 Jamieson Park Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday.

The Gr.3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) is looming large on the horizon for exciting mare It’s Business Time, who will step out as a $1.85 favourite for Saturday’s Coupland’s Bakeries Mile Trial (1400m) at Riccarton.

Cambridge visitor Burn To Shine threw his name into the mix of serious contenders for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) next month with a determined effort to take out the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton.

Classy filly Impendabelle is now a Group Two winner at the ages of both two and three, surviving a protest to take out a chaotic running of the Gr.2 Jamieson Park Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Last season’s Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) winner Desert Lightning kicked off his four-year-old season with a slick performance in Saturday’s Dunstan Horsefeeds (1200m) at Pukekohe.

Stablemates Burn To Shine (NZ) (So You Think) and Deels Done (NZ) (Dundeel) loom as top chances at Riccarton where conditions on Saturday will be nigh on perfect for the Stephen Marsh-prepared duo.

Riccarton trainers Anna Furlong and Shane Kennedy are looking forward to tackling stakes company once more with Second Thought (NZ) (Ghibellines) when they head to their home meeting on Saturday.

Allasera (NZ) (Zacinto) has been a boomerang horse for Trent Yesberg and the Rangiora horseman isn’t complaining one bit.

Mr Fahrenheit (NZ) (Zed) provided a special birthday present for part-owner Eric O’Hara, who turned 70 on Saturday.

Stakes targets are looming for Imwonderfultonight (I Am Invincible) following her win in the Karl Davis Team Bayleys – A Sure Bet 1100 at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Luberon (NZ) (Embellish) will bid to complete a hat-trick of wins on Saturday and remain undefeated this preparation ahead of her spring grand final at Riccarton next month.

Stephen Autridge believes he has his quartet of fillies bang on for the Gr.2 Jamieson Park Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday, but whether all four gain a start is another matter.

Vague (NZ) (Tobique) continued her great association with Gore on Wednesday when taking out the Aon Insurance Brokers 1800, her third triumph at the Southland venue.

Consistent galloper Humbucker (NZ) (Iffraaj) will step out on his home track at Gore on Wednesday in the first step towards a start in the Gr.3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on November 15.

Promising three-year-old Talisker (NZ) (Embelish) took the next step on his path to the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) next month with a convincing victory at Ashburton on Sunday.

Trainer Danica Guy’s sights have now been set towards Ellerslie in January with her exciting three-year-old Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) after his unbeaten run came to an end at Te Rapa last Saturday.

Clinton Isdale backed his judgment when entering Beebeep (NZ) (Vespa) in last Saturday’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa, and the Cambridge horseman was duly rewarded when the mare scored a runner-up result behind Johny Johny (NZ) (Charm Spirit).

Te Rapa’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) has been a springboard to Group One glory for five recent winners of the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), and the connections of the undefeated Crocetti are hoping for more of the same.

Two weeks after a forgettable trip to Flemington, Group One-winning New Zealand mare Skew Wiff will have a second attempt at an Australian debut in Saturday’s Gr.2 Sharp EIT Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

A wide draw and an energy-sapping fast pace were not enough to stop Johny Johny (NZ) (Charm Spirit) in Saturday’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa.

Saturday’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa was an eagerly anticipated clash between a number of up-and-coming talents, but it turned into a tour de force by New Zealand’s most exciting three-year-old.

Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta celebrated her fifth win in the Gr.3 Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) when Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) (Dissident) scored an emphatic victory in Saturday’s $100,000 feature at Trentham.

Jockey Warren Kennedy produced a daring ride aboard progressive stayer Nest Egg (NZ) (Reliable Man) at Te Rapa on Saturday, which paved the way for a victory that showed he is on track for a tilt at the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) next month.

Trainer Peter Didham has found himself in an enviable position after promising mare Kana (NZ) (Tivaci) finally got the raceday luck she deserved to run out an impressive six-length winner over 1200m at Trentham on Saturday.

Royally bred colt Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) lived up to his impeccable breeding when he gave his rivals a galloping lesson at Trentham on Saturday.

New Zealand Bloodstock has announced the sponsorship of two large prizemoney races in Malaysia with graduates of NZB’s sales set to be able to compete for stakes of RM100,000.

The rescheduling of the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m) to Te Rapa on Saturday has worked in favour of Johny Johny (NZ) (Charm Spirit) on two fronts.

The Castlepoint Races have been a staple of Wairarapa summers for generations, and it has now been immortalised in book form through the launch of ‘Racing Against The Tide – 150 Years Of Horse Racing At Castlepoint’.

The progeny of Justify have shone this week in the tangerine silks of Te Akau Racing, and the good form continued with three-year-old Rule of Law (NZ) producing his maiden victory at Tauranga on Wednesday.

Promising colt Monday Melody (Snitzel) has pleased trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott in his build-up to the stiffest challenge of his brief career at Te Rapa on Saturday.

La Crique’s (NZ) (Vadamos) spring preparation is over.

Emerging filly Star Of Justice provided Pencarrow Stud with a timely result when she bridged the gap to black type company with aplomb at Ashburton.

Evergreen galloper Midnight Runner will be looking to end his preparation on a high when he heads to Wingatui on Thursday to contest the Positive Signs + Print (1200m).

One Bold Cat is expected to be a far more competitive force when he takes aim at the feature event on Saturday’s Trentham card.

Mark Corcoran savoured a top-flight victory on the racetrack at Hastings and a few hours later the Grangewilliam Stud co-principal had further cause to celebrate.

Viva Vienna may have been the fancied runner in Monday’s transferred Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton, but it was stablemate Star Of Justice who took centre stage when winning the three-year-old feature.

Riccarton trainer Terri Rae will be looking to New Zealand Cup Week with more confidence following the standout performances of Double O’ Seven and promising filly Lunvwar in the feature events at Ashburton on Monday.

Day One of NZB’s 2023 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups kicked off today at Te Rapa Racecourse with perfect weather and track conditions for the two-year-olds. 

On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) claimed his Karaka Million 2YO purse over 1200m, and the now five-year-old may have found his sweet spot back at the sprinting trip when making a winning southern debut at Ashburton.

Stakes targets are looming for Proserve (NZ) (Proisir) following his win in the Agraforum Growing Innovation (2200m) at Ashburton on Monday.

Daren Danis took a gamble when heading to Ashburton’s postponed meeting on Monday, but it paid off big time when taking out the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) aboard Star Of Justice (Justify), bringing up his 100^th career riding win and first at Group level.

One very lucky TAB customer has scooped up $10 million after correctly predicting the finishing order of the 12 horses in Saturday’s The Everest race at Royal Randwick in Sydney.
 

Lightly raced three-year-old Psyclone (NZ) (Rageese) opened her winning account at Rotorua on Sunday with a tidy performance to take out the Arawa Park Rotorua Hotel 3YO (1215m).

Promising filly Quintabelle (NZ) (Embellish) did her Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) prospects no harm when she stylishly cleared maiden ranks at Ashburton on Saturday.

Consistent performer Deebee Zapower (NZ) (Power) shrugged off a pair of average runs to bounce back to winning form at Rotorua on Sunday.

Million-dollar earner Riodini will make his first New Zealand appearance in almost four years when he lines up in the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua on Sunday.

The heavy ground that has carried Mustang Valley to two spectacular Group One victories will be nowhere to be seen at Hastings on Saturday, but trainer Andrew Forsman is confident that drier conditions will pose no problems for his stable star’s defence of her Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) crown.

Four weeks on from an eye-catching placing in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m), promising filly Warning Signal is set to relish the extra distance of Saturday’s Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton.

Livamol Classic Day at Hastings got off to an action-packed start on Saturday, with a dead heat and a protest before Cannon Hill (NZ) (Ardrossan) was declared an outright winner of the Tims Construction Premier (1300m).

Matamata horseman Glenn Old’s million-dollar dream continued with Adam I Am (NZ) (Almanzor) on Saturday, after the classy galloper backed up his highly-discussed maiden victory with an equally impressive performance to score at Hastings. 

Gavelhouse Plus is offering buyers a special opportunity to enhance their broodmare bands with a speedy and well-bred daughter of super-sire Savabeel.

Respected New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock has always seen Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed) as a superstar in waiting, and Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) marked the big gelding’s arrival on the major stage.

Previously a five-time placegetter at Group level, classy mare Our Alley Cat (NZ) (Atlante) broke through and secured her first stakes win in style in Saturday’s Gr.3 Valley D’Vine Restaurant Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings.

Te Akau Racing couldn’t have wished for a better fit at Hastings on Saturday for talented mare Romancing The Moon (NZ) (El Roca).

A dark cloud has come over racing in West Auckland, with its future in doubt following New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s (NZTR) announcement that no further trial meetings will be held at Avondale Racecourse for the foreseeable future.

Zacinto gelding Mach Schnell has returned to New Zealand with an eye towards some lofty summer targets.

Enthusiastic’s (NZ) (War Decree) debut run last month was better than it reads on paper and, with a slice of luck this time, is expected to show his true worth on Wednesday when he returns to Taupo.

Exciting three-year-old Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) is exciting trainer Danica Guy ahead of his first tilt at stakes level next weekend.

Group Three performer Moeraki (NZ) (El Roca) made a pleasing return to his homeland on Tuesday when winning his 800m trial at Matamata.

Like many trainers around the country, Vicki Prendergast has been frustrated by the wet weather of late, but is welcoming the sunny forecast leading into the final leg of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival at Hastings on Saturday.

The final day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival has been a happy hunting ground for Alby MacGregor and Times Ticking (NZ) (Tavistock), and the Opaki trainer is hoping that continues on Saturday.

Another chapter in the rivalry between top fillies Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver) and Viva Vienna (NZ) (All Too Hard) will be written on Saturday when the pair meet once more in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton.

Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott aren’t short of talented three-year-olds in their stable this season, and Geriatrix (NZ) (Almanzor) looks to be another promising type after breaking his maiden impressively at Taupo on Wednesday.   

TAB is thrilled to launch TAB’s Everest Mega Millions – a free to play competition with a life changing prize.  
 

Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock) has enjoyed a faultless preparation and will strip at the top of her game for Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings.

Glenn Old’s phone has been ringing red hot over the last couple of weeks after Adam I Am’s (NZ) (Almanzor) impressive maiden victory at Matamata last month, but the talented four-year-old will remain in New Zealand.

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) has announced that as a result of pattern and scheduling changes, there will be a number of adjustments to the ATR racing season. 

A journey down to Invercargill’s Ascot Park Racecourse paid off for Bruce Tapper on Sunday, with the Timaru horseman claiming the Washrite & Hyde Landscaping Winton Cup (1400m) with Redford.

Petrucci made the perfect start to her preparation at her home track of Matamata on Saturday when taking out the Colchester Engineering LTD (1200m).

It’s been a frustrating last few months for the connections of Prowess, but they were relieved to finally see their mare back at the races on Saturday.

With a dominant home-track performance in Saturday’s Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m), Legarto has put last week’s weather woes behind her and set her sights on Sydney.

Foxton trainer Chrissy Bambry admits to having a few doubts about Kingfisher Lad (Unencumbered) when she took him to Hawera for Saturday’s NZ Farmers Livestock Ltd Egmont Cup (2100m), but he came out on top with one of the toughest performances of his 26-start, six-win career.

Two weeks after a luckless run over the same course and distance, well-related local mare Candyflip (NZ) (Kermadec) turned her fortunes around in style in Saturday’s Fairview Motors Matamata Maiden (1400m).

The Gavin Sharrock-trained galloper Stipulator (NZ) (Darci Brahma) announced her candidacy for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month with a stylish performance to break her maiden status in the Metcalfe Real Estate 3YO (1200m) at Hawera.

Just over a month out from the biggest week on the South Island’s racing calendar, quality Otago gelding Capo Dell Impero is kicking off a new campaign in the Washrite & Hyde Landscaping Winton Cup (1400m) at Ascot Park on Sunday.

A week after launching Lantern Way (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) into the three-year-old spotlight in last Saturday’s Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), in-form trainer Lisa Latta is about to resume the racing career of a stablemate who has already proven herself to be an age-group standout.

Hawera and Matamata have been the beneficiaries of some unexpected circumstances this spring, with two of New Zealand’s most exciting racehorses having a change of plan and adding star quality to this weekend’s black-type features.

Fresh off a 73-0 win against Uruguay in Lyon, All Black Anton Lienert-Brown kept his winning momentum going, but this time as a member of the Te Akau All Too Much Racing Partnership syndicate, who own Insatiable, the winner of the Jon Snow & Echoes Of Heaven @ Clearview Park (1200m) at Phar Lap Raceway on Friday.

Promising filly Luberon confirmed she is right on schedule for a trip to Christchurch later in the spring with a comprehensive winning performance at Matamata.

While most people were surprised to see Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock) hold out the late charge of multiple Group One winner Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) as she took out the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeder’s Stakes (1400m), trainer Royden Bergerson wasn’t necessarily one of them.

Exciting two-year-old prospect Poetic Champion produced an emphatic first victory for young Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth at Hawera on Saturday.

Matamata trainer Stephen Autridge has focussed on quality rather than quantity in his stable over the last few years, and it’s showing.

Blue Diamond winner Little Brose (Per Incanto) will push on to the Caulfield Guineas and look to become the first horse since Redoute’s Choice 24 years ago to complete the double.

A new training partnership will shoot for its first win at Timaru on Friday.

Classy mare Aquacade (NZ) (Dundeel) was dominant in staying company last season and commences an exciting spring campaign in a competitive Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m) on Saturday.

Uareastar will continue her comeback when she heads to Hawera on Saturday to contest the NZ Farmers Livestock LTD Egmont Cup (2100m).

Trainer Mark Walker is hoping his talented mare Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel) can bring her New Zealand form to Flemington on Saturday where she will line-up in the Gr.2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m).

Spring hasn’t been kind to La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) in New Zealand and punters might get their last glimpse of her racing during the fickle season in her homeland when she contests the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m) on Saturday.

Foxton trainer Gail Temperton is looking forward to an exciting week across the Central Districts, first with her diminutive jumping talent Harry Harrison (NZ) (Haradasun) contesting the Tararua Hedge Cutting Ltd Open Hurdle (3000m) at Woodville on Thursday.

Going in the right direction, Key Largo (NZ) (Ocean Park) produced a stylish victory in the Judea Tavern Maiden (1600m) at Tauranga on Wednesday.

Matamata trainer Ken Kelso is taking inspiration from a turf legend as he prepares Group One-winning mare Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) for Saturday’s Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m).

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, in conjunction with Dean McKenzie, is thrilled to announce the establishment of the NZTR McKenzie Future Leaders Scholarship, commencing in November 2023.

The South African accent has been growing in volume in jockey rooms around the country in recent years thanks to former jockey turned NZ Equine Academy director Donavan Mansour, with that number growing by one this season.

Andrew Forsman took home Group One spoils on a rain-affected track at Hastings last weekend with Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh), but the Cambridge trainer is hoping for a better surface in the Bay of Plenty on Wednesday for his promising fillies.

There were few smiles bigger than Danika Wilson’s at Riccarton last Saturday after the apprentice jockey recorded her first win aboard The Buffer (NZ) (Reliable Man) in the Coupland’s Bakeries Mile Trial (1400m).

The Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) dream is over this year for the connections of Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood).

A pair of Te Akau Racing fillies will be vying to keep their Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) hopes alive when they step out this week.

With six wins in three different countries within the space of 18 hours, Te Akau Racing had a weekend that was extraordinary even by their standards.

A downpour of rain at Hastings on Saturday was welcomed by consistent stayer Semper Magico (NZ) (Per Incanto), who skipped through the heavy conditions to continue his red-hot form.

It may have taken a few years and 21 starts, but trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy may have found Malt Time’s (Adelaide) new pet distance.

Top quality mare Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) spearheaded a lucrative and satisfying stellar Saturday for Windsor Park Stud.

Exciting three-year-old Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) has been ruled out of the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month.

The miserable weather that hit Hastings ahead of Saturday’s eagerly anticipated Arrowfield Stud Plate Day led to track downgrades, high-profile late scratchings and plenty of disappointment, but Lisa Latta was less fazed than most.

Rugged performer The Buffer (NZ) (Reliable Man) showed all his fighting attributes when he forced his way between runners late in the piece to claim victory in the Coupland’s Bakeries Mile Trial (1400m) at Riccarton.

Versatile galloper Taramea Lad (NZ) (Ekraar) provided ample evidence he will be a force to be reckoned with in the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) in November with a stout staying performance to take out the Waimakariri Businesses North Canterbury Cup (2000m) at Riccarton.