Newcastle trainer Kris Lees believes he’s yet to find the ceiling with former Kiwi sprinter Ucalledit (NZ) (Zacinto) who will be aiming to stretch his winning sequence to four in The Buffering at Doomben on Saturday.
Talented three-year-old Dunkel has plenty of improvement still to come but was able to score a relatively comfortable victory in the Frank O’Brien Handicap (1800m) at Sandown on Saturday despite giving favourite punters a few nervous moments.
New Zealand-bred sprinter Roch ‘N’ Horse has made waves in Australia since transferring to trainer Michael Moroney’s Flemington barn earlier this year, and he is now itching to test her talents further afield.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained St Lawrence extended his unbeaten record to four when winning the Joe Brown Handicap (1800m) at Sandown Hillside on Boxing Day.
Five-year-old gelding Made By Khan (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) left his rivals with few excuses when proving the best stayer in the Midway Handicap (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Lightly-raced speedster Inundation (Headwater) made a blistering return to the racetrack, establishing a new 1000-metre track record at The Valley on Saturday.
Quality mare Polly Grey (NZ) (Azamour) will be given the opportunity to boost her future broodmare value and attain millionaire status during a brief homecoming.
Four-year-old mare Lekvarte (NZ) (Reliable Man) looks to have a bright future after coming from the rear of the field to claim the Yes Yes Yes First Yearlings Handicap (1400m) at Randwick, scoring comfortably in the hands of Chad Schofield.
Six-year-old Tavistock mare Our Modena (NZ) broke through for the first time from the quarters of Scone trainer Scott Singleton when landing the Furphy Handicap (1400m) at Randwick.
Having missed out on a berth in The Ingham, Purple Sector (NZ) (Pins) will chase a consolation prize at Randwick as he bids to end a two-year absence from the winner’s stall.
Sent out as one of the day’s hottest favourites right across Australasia, Kiwi-bred gelding Detonator Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) lived up to those lofty expectations in style at Sandown on Saturday.
Trainer Peter Moody is contemplating the prospect of black type after New Zealand-bred mare Life Lessons completed a hat-trick of wins in Saturday’s A$130,000 Ladbrokes Market Control Handicap (1400m) at Sandown.
New Zealand-breds dominated the inaugural running of the revamped A$2 million Gr.2 The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday, with an all-Kiwi trifecta headed by a pair of John O’Shea-trained stablemates.
Bigger prize money and the chance to race on one of Australia’s best racetracks will see Steven Pateman head to Sandown with El Gladiador (NZ) (Ghibellines).
Progressive New Zealand-bred galloper Kissinger (NZ) (Tavistock) provided further evidence of his staying prowess when he produced a sustained home straight burst to comfortably score his first stakes success in Saturday’s Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m)
Top-class miler Aegon is off for a break with features across the Tasman in autumn in mind after a great effort for second in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m).
Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are hoping to achieve more Group One success with Smokin’ Romans as they set their sights towards autumn with the New Zealand-bred six-year-old.
New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale graduate Flash Feeling (NZ) (Iffraaj) bounced back from a disappointing effort at his most recent start when he produced a determined finish to take out the John Duff & Co Benchmark 78 (2000m) at Pakenham.
Group One performer Vassilator is set to end a frustrating last few months for his connections when he makes his raceday return at Pakenham on Saturday.
