A pair of bargain buys at the New Zealand Bloodstock May Sale in 2014 could lead to the biggest day in racing for Ashburton trainers Sarah and Matthew Smith.

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones was saddened by the passing of former Balcairn trainer Maurice Bailey at Burwood Hospital, Christchurch, recently.

Sitting on the reserves bench was the key for success in the $6,500 Outback Trading Co. Manawatu Cup. Monday’s bold winner of the 457m decider Emgrand Park contested the final wearing the green and white racing stripes for his conditioner Angela Turnwald.

With an eye on next year’s autumn carnival, trainer John Thompson has brought promising three-year-old Battenburg (NZ) (Reliable Man) from Sydney to Melbourne for a feature race and trip away to help season the colt.

There was fist-pumping and whooping, high-fives and firm clasps for all hands within reach of the Rise High camp; deflation and ‘brave face’ acceptance from the Beauty Generation team.

Immediately following the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger), the spotlight turns imperial. With the enthronement of the new emperor this week, what better timing than this coming Sunday for one of Japanese racing’s most prestigious races – the Grade 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn).