Aucklanders will be remembered for doing the heavy lifting when it came to COVID-19 lockdowns in New Zealand in 2021, and local galloper Showoroses is set to continue that trend at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

Opie Bosson has never partnered high-class mare Entriviere on race day, but the champion jockey is confident their first time together at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day will be an occasion to savour.

The dream clash of 2022 is taking shape with confirmation super New Zealand jumper Zed Em is in training for May’s Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool.

An Oaks target is on the agenda for Aquacade in the autumn, but on what side of the Tasman that will be could be dictated by her performance at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

Opie Bosson has never partnered high-class mare Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock) on race day, but the champion jockey is confident their first time together at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day will be an occasion to savour.

A $65,000 stake attracted a strong line-up for this year’s running of the Harcourts Taupo Cup (2000m) on Thursday and Hawke’s Bay trainer Patrick Campbell was delighted to take home the lion’s share of the purse courtesy of his evergreen galloper Hunta Pence (NZ) (No Excuse Needed).

Danielle Johnson has plenty of time for Gold Watch (NZ) (Swiss Ace), her mount in Saturday’s Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie.

Riverton trainer Graham Eade is hoping to start the new year with a bang when he lines-up half a dozen runners at his home meeting on Saturday.

All the key indicators point to the high-class mare Levante (NZ) (Proisir) going close to plugging the only gap in her CV on New Year’s Day at Ellerslie where she will bid to add a Group One victory to her record.

Tutukaka might be dropping back from a Derby trip but there’s little doubt that the two-time Australian stakes winner spearheads a three-pronged attack for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike on Saturday’s Gr.2 SkyCity Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie.

The trajectory of Meg Cunneen’s burgeoning training career took another upward spiral at Timaru on Tuesday when William Wallace (NZ) (Darci Brahma) took out the Listed Craigmore Sustainable Holdings Timaru Cup (1600m).

For the first time in a decade the Christmas and New Year racing action in the South Island will be missing the presence of trainer Ken Rae.

Beauden (NZ) (Bullbars) kickstarted a rich vein of form with a runaway victory in the 2020 Taupo Cup and co-trainer Graeme Rogerson is plotting a repeat summer campaign with his well-performed stayer.

Class mare Coventina Bay (NZ) (Coventina Bay) has thrived since her first up win at Awapuni and is being prepared for an attempt at a stakes race double at Trentham next month.

An unplanned break has proved hugely beneficial to the exciting Te Awamutu mare Jodelin Gal (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who now has black type targets in her future.

Promising three-year-old filly Miss Ella (NZ) (Iffraaj) set tongues wagging at Rotorua on Tuesday as she broke her maiden status with a ten-length romp over 1400m.

Here are comments from the jockeys in the Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic.

Here are comments from the jockeys in the Hallmark Stud Handicap.

Here are comments from the jockeys in the Shaw's Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes.

Here are comments from the jockeys in the Jamieson Park Eight Carat Classic.

While trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall had plenty to celebrate at Ellerslie on Sunday following the win of Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly) in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m), progressive three-year-old filly Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) also brought a wide smile to their faces after she produced a gutsy victory over 1200m to kick-start her summer campaign

Trainer Bryce Newman took five horses to Awapuni on Sunday, confident he could pick up a win during the nine-race programme.

There were plenty of tears shed on course and in his country of birth when apprentice Ashvin Goindasamy guided veteran galloper Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly) to victory in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie.

Trelawney Stud’s colours were prominent in black type events at Ellerslie on Boxing Day with three placings, but two of them came at a physical cost.

A year on from their five-win bonanza on Boxing Day at Ellerslie last year, Te Akau Racing and trainer Jamie Richards got the 2021 edition of the famous fixture off to an eerily similar start.

On a day where he dominated the first two black-type events on an action-packed programme, it was no surprise that trainer Jamie Richards would continue to make his mark on the feature races later on the card including providing the quinella in the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m).

A brilliant performance by emerging star Bankers Choice completed a dream Boxing Day for Okaharau Station owner-breeders Ross and Corrine Kearney.

Veteran galloper Tiptronic led all the way to take out his second career Group One prize when he captured the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie.

A shift to the South Island has worked wonders for Hasabro (NZ) (Savabeel), who picked up his first black-type win in the Listed Alleviate Administration Hazlett Stakes (1200m) at Wingatui on Boxing Day.

The Ben & JD Hayes-trained Excelida is racing for a potential trip to New Zealand when she lines up at Caulfield on Boxing Day.

South Waikato couple Ross and Corrine Kearney are hoping the recent run of form by members of their racing team continues into the festive season.

Central Districts raider Sindacato is on trial for a Group One assignment when he heads to Ellerslie on Sunday to contest the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final (1500m).

Undefeated three-year-old Pareanui Bay will be one of the major drawcards at Ellerslie on Boxing Day where he contests a strong edition of the Listed Shaw’s Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m).

Impressive Otaki three-year-old Galleon will do his future racing in Australia.

Richards-trained representative is in top order for Ellerslie where he will attempt to breakthrough at the highest level on Boxing Day.

It was a fitting result in the Congratulations Hong Kong Bound Jamie Richards Maiden at Matamata on Thursday, with Richards taking out the quinella.

Woodlands trainer Robert Dennis will take a handful of runners to Wingatui’s annual Boxing Day meeting on Sunday, including Ocean Point (NZ) (Ocean Park) who will tackle the Listed Alleviate Administration Hazlett Stakes (1200m).

Bold Mac (NZ) (The Bold One) has required patient handling and the waiting tactics are being rewarded with the progressive four-year-old having made an encouraging start to his career.

Top-class jockey Vinnie Colgan will be reunited with quality mare Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) in the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Sunday and should the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained five-year-old salute, no one would begrudge the veteran hoop success.

Mason, who was in his mid-70s, was a great nephew of legendary horseman Dick Mason, who in 2006 was inducted to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in recognition of his training achievements

Te Akau are once again set to hold a strong hand in next month’s Doubletree By Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) with Lord Cosmos (Pierro) adding his name to the contenders with victory at New Plymouth on Wednesday.

Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard will have numbers and class in their favour for the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day.

Matamata trainer Peter McKay is heading to Awapuni on Boxing Day with a quartet of runners and he is hoping he can snag the meeting’s feature with his Group One winner The Mitigator (Master of Design).

Following a pleasing Melbourne spring campaign, Elephant (NZ) (Shocking) has returned to work in good fettle ahead of a return trip across the Tasman.

Wexford Stables has been going through a rebuilding phase following the loss of a number of proven performers and the Matamata operation is now looking to the younger members of the line-up to fly the flag.

Five-win gelding Super Pursuit will have his first tilt at stakes level when he contests the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

With the retirement of Stephen McKee as a full-time trainer, there has been a changing of the guard at Sunline Lodge, his South Auckland thoroughbred training facility.

There could be a significant change for New Plymouth trainers in the coming years with the proposed development of a $91 million multi-sport hub.

Lightly raced Group winner Mana Nui (NZ) (No Nay Never) has joined Chris Waller’s Sydney operation with the champion trainer handed the task of boosting the colt’s stallion profile.

Ruakaka trainer Kenny Rae typically heads to the South Island with a small team over the summer, but this year his hand has been forced somewhat by COVID-19 restrictions in his home region.

Juvenile filly Pacific Dragon (NZ) (Charm Spirit) broke through for her maiden win in the Dunstan Recovery Mash 1000 at Pukekohe on Monday, cementing her path towards the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie next month.

Three-year-old gelding Horace (NZ) (Preferment) broke maiden ranks in good style on Monday for trainer Chad Ormsby when landing the Premier Horse Transport 1200 at Pukekohe and looks a promising stayer in the making.

Belardo gelding Fellini (NZ) broke through for his maiden victory at Pukekohe on Monday when taking out the Tuakau Cossie Racing Section 1000.

Kiwi-bred filly Gypsy Goddess (NZ) became the first stakes winner for Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino (NZ) when she cruised to victory in the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (2100m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

An eclectic group of friends entrusted Guy Lowry with the task of finding them a racehorse at Karaka 2020, and now the resulting purchase is coming into his own.

Two-year-old debutant Kana (NZ) (Tivaci) raced into contention for the $1million Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie next month with an impressive victory on her home track at Awapuni on Saturday.

Consistent mare Queen Bellissimo (NZ) (Swiss Ace) proved too game for her rivals when land the Midway (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday in the hands of Alysha Collett.

Kiwi-bred filly Gypsy Goddess made a one-act affair of the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (2100m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, cruising to victory to keep her unbeaten record intact, with four wins from as many starts.

Visiting Matamata rider Craig Grylls had a day to remember on Saturday when he took out the two feature races on the card at Awapuni, albeit in contrasting fashion.

Taranaki mare Coventina Bay reminded racegoers of her undoubted class when she came from last at the turn to down a small but quality field in the Gr.2 Carters Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni.

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh will take a strong hand into one of the features at Ellerslie on New Year’s day after producing a winning double midway through the meeting at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta heads to her local meeting on Saturday with some trepidation as the heavy rain that has lashed much of New Zealand this week hasn’t missed the Palmerston North venue.

It was a memorable day for Thomas Russell on Friday when he recorded his first training win in a solo capacity at Otaki courtesy of King Of Hearts (NZ) (Jakkalberry) in the Ribbons Plus

New Zealand’s leading trainer Jamie Richards will move to Hong Kong in the new year to take up an invitation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club to join their training ranks next season.

Former northerner Humbucker (NZ) (Iffraaj) has thrived since joining Ellis Winsloe’s Gore barn a few months ago.

Exciting three-year-old Te Toki (NZ) (Tarzino) will be sporting a new look when he resumes on Saturday at Te Rapa where he will attempt to maintain his unbeaten record for a changed ownership group.

Buyers have been circling around emerging three-year-old Wewillrock (NZ) (El Roca) and interest is sure to intensify if he continues the strong start he has made to his career at Te Rapa on Saturday.

An overkill of rain might yet foil Awapuni trainer Peter Didham’s cunning plan.

Didham had planned to use last Saturday’s Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa as a lead-up to the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day for his smart mare House Of Cartier (Alamosa).

The Ashburton races scheduled for Thursday have been postponed until Tuesday 21 December.

This week’s announcement that Northland will be the only region in the country that will be left in the red traffic light setting after December 30 will see the Whangarei Racing Club abstain from hosting their usually popular January 6 meeting.

New Zealand-bred mare Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock) is recovering well after being injured during the running of the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) last month.

Shaun Phelan has the $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) on his mind as he heads into weekend racing.

Cherry Lane (NZ) (Redwood) is in career-best form and trainer Nick Bishara believes the mare is a strong chance to gain an elusive black-type honour at Awapuni on Saturday.

Group One winner Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) has been crowned New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2020-21 Filly of the Year following her four wins in the coveted series.

A stellar weekend for Trelawney Stud was crowned on foreign shores when farm graduate Sky Field (Deep Field) triumphed in the Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday evening.

A date for family and friends to gather and celebrate the life of New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Laurie Laxon has been set for late February.

Auckland’s move to the government’s COVID-19 Orange traffic light setting means spectators can enjoy a big day out at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

Taranaki mare Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress) will make her New Zealand return at Awapuni on Saturday where she will line-up in the Gr.2 Carters Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m).

A son and a daughter of popular Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Almanzor impressed with winning outings at the Rotorua trials on Monday.

Group Three winner All Saints’ Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls) had her first hit-out on home soil at Arawa Park on Monday and new trainer Stephen Marsh is excited about her prospects over the summer.

Roger James had plenty of time to reflect on a truly magical 48-hour period as he made the long trip home to his Cambridge base from Palmerston North on Sunday morning.

Riding four winners on a premier raceday, including two at Group level is cause to celebrate in any language and jockey Leith Innes wasn’t going to buck that trend after a magical day at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Four wins during the week including a double at Te Rapa on Saturday has trainer Pam Gerard excited about the prospects for her Ballymore Stables team leading into the busiest period of racing in the country over the summer months.

Belle En Rouge (NZ) (Burgundy) bucked recent history when she headed to Awapuni and capped a consistent spring with a deserved victory in Saturday’s Gr.3 LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m).

Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood capped an already stellar day at Te Rapa on Saturday when Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) strode clear of her rivals to claim the Gr.1 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (1600m), the first elite-level success of her career.

Something about the start of summer brings the very best out of Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel), who broke an 11-month win drought with a superb victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa.

Ever consistent sprinter Packing Rockstar (Fastnet Rock) displayed all his fighting qualities when he downed a high-quality field of sprinters in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.

Heavily backed $2.50 favourite Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci) carried her many supporters to victory with a stunning performance to take out the Gr.2 Hiddenbed Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa.

The colours of prominent owner David Price were carried to victory in the opening event at Tauranga on Friday when Self Obsession (NZ) (Shocking) scored a comfortable three-and-a-half length win to break maiden ranks at the second time of asking when successful over 1600m.

Catherine Cameron scored her first Group victory as a trainer last month and she could add a Group One to her resume on Saturday at Te Rapa.

Showoroses (NZ) (Showcasing) will be out to add to her bouquet of Group victories when she heads to Te Rapa on Saturday.

Wayne Hillis didn’t have to Think Twice (NZ) (Alamosa) about backing up his promising juvenile of the same name in the Gr.2 Hiddenbed Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Saturday’s Te Rapa meeting was always intended to be the career starting point for well-named Time Test filly Delorean (NZ), but it was only this week that it became a debut at Group Two level.

Prise De Fer (NZ) (Savabeel) will continue his hunt for an elusive Group One win in Saturday’s Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa.

Kelvin Tyler has a big opinion of undefeated gelding Tyler Eight (NZ) (Pure Champion) and he is confident he will extend his winning streak to three when he lines-up in the Choppa’s Tyres Handicap (1200m) at Ascot Park on Saturday.

High-priced youngster Andalus (NZ) (Almanzor) hasn’t been troubled by the unexpected rigours of the past week and trainer Stephen Marsh can’t fault the colt ahead of his delayed debut on Saturday.

Trainers Leon and Troy Corstens are hoping Ranting (NZ) (Zoustar) can break his winless drought when he lines-up in the Des Gleeson Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday following his placing at Pakenham last weekend.

It will be something of a ‘girls day out’ for star members of the Roger James and Robert Wellwood stable on Saturday.

Team Rogerson will be represented by a quartet of black-type contenders at Te Rapa on Saturday and among them are two of the stable’s leading staying hopes for the summer.

The New Zealand thoroughbred industry was saddened this week to hear of the passing of young apprentice jockey Yong Chew in his native Malaysia.

Michael Pitman won’t be bringing his classy mare Miss Tycoon Rose (Written Tycoon) north for the rescheduled Gr.1 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa, deciding to chase some features closer to home instead.

Ballymore Stables will double their attack on the Gr.1 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday after its transfer from Trentham last weekend.

Chelsea Burdan is closing in on a return to race day riding from a new base following an extended time on the side-line due to injury.

The opening of the Auckland borders on December 15 can’t come quickly enough for Richard Collett.

Leading apprentice jockey Kozzi Asano has decided to head north to Cambridge for the summer and if everything goes to plan it could be a permanent move.

Trainer Roydon Bergerson has been left angry and bemused by the decision to reprogram the feature events from Saturday’s abandoned Trentham meeting to Te Rapa this Saturday.

New Zealand racing bosses have launched an investigation into the circumstances leading up to Saturday's enormously costly abandonment of the Group 1 meeting at Trentham.

Like most of the racegoers at Matamata on Saturday, trainer Nick Bishara was concerned about the rain forecast to strike the meeting during the day.

The abandonment of racing at Trentham on Saturday and the subsequent rescheduling of the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) to Te Rapa this Saturday has played nicely into the hands of trainers Jenny and Bob Vance and their quality galloper Royal Performer (Medicean).

NZTR has implemented an investigation into the circumstances which resulted in the abandonment of the Wellington Racing Club’s Group One meeting on Saturday.

Twenty-four hours on from the decision to abandon the Group One raceday at Trentham after just one race due to safety issues caused by the slippery nature of the track, trainer Allan Sharrock is still trying to get his head around the circumstances that caused the cancellation.

Kiwi-bred filly Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino) maintained an unblemished record when she overcame difficulties in the running to post her third consecutive victory at Doomben on Saturday.

A downgrade in the Matamata track due to persistent rain on the day played right into the hands of local runner Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir) as the promising galloper delivered a gritty victory in the day’s feature event, the Gr.3 Mitchell Family Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m).

Trainer Peter Lock admits he has plenty of battles with progressive mare Faithful Feat (NZ) (Per Incanto) and is hoping he has won the war after she made it back-to-back wins with a comprehensive victory at Matamata on Saturday.

The Lisa Latta-trained Belardo Boy (NZ) (Belardo) made the most of an abbreviated race meeting at Trentham on Saturday when he stormed to victory in the opening event.

Aegon delivered three of last season’s biggest wins for leading jockey Leith Innes, and the unbeaten combination will team up again on Saturday for the first time in 10 months.

Following a stellar season from horses carrying the iconic WS brand, Waikato Stud has been announced as the Sir Patrick and Justine Lady Hogan Breeder of the Year for the 2020-21 season.

Stephen Marsh will have a strong contingent in the Gr.3 Mitchell Family Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Matamata on Saturday.

In-form Matamata stablemates Sagunto (NZ) (O’Reilly) and Giacomo (NZ) (Puccini) have Group targets on their programs and will bid to add further momentum on their home track on Saturday to trainer and part-owner Peter McKay’s plans.

New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson has elected to skip a trip to Wellington this weekend with his dual Group Three winner Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress).

Quality mare Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock) is building towards the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day after a quick turnaround from a successful three-start spring campaign in Sydney.

Promising Sweynesse mare Petty’s Legacy (NZ) will spearhead a strong team for Riccarton trainers Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong at their home-track meeting on Friday.

Already Group One performed in Australia, Alamosa mare House of Cartier will be out to add an elite-level victory to her resume in her next two starts.

A tendon injury has forced the retirement of Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) winner Savy Yong Blonk (NZ) (Savabeel), diluting the potency of Matamata trainer Jamie Richards’ hand for Saturday’s Gr.1 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.

The racing career of exciting mare Sakura Blossom (Vancouver) is over. The daughter of Vancouver had won two of her three starts and was set for an exciting summer with nominations for both the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) and Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m).

Roger James and Robert Wellwood believe there is a positive sense of timing around Two Illicit’s (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) bid for Group One glory at Trentham on Saturday.

Few people get the chance at a trifecta in a Group One race, but that is what Cambridge horseman Ben Foote is vying for in the Gr.1 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.