Talented juvenile Synchronize (NZ) (Savabeel) made an impressive debut at Matamata on Wednesday, winning the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO (1050m), landing a Pearl Series bonus in the process.

Trainers Bob and Jenny Vance are hoping their stable star Royal Performer (Medicean) can cap his season off in style when he contests the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m) on Saturday.

A series of racing celebrity lunches and dinners will be auctioned this week via gavelhouse.com, in an initiative driven by the New Zealand Jockeys’ Association, with all funds raised by the auctions to go to the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust.

The annual Riverton Cup meeting is one local horseman Kelvin Tyler looks forward to every year, but he said it is not without its pressure.

Plans for Group One winning juvenile Sword Of State (Snitzel) will be determined by the volume of rain in the coming days, with the Jamie Richards-trained colt a warm favourite for Saturday’s Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

Kiwi jumper Zed Em (NZ) (Zed) will be out to land a fourth successive Ecycle Solutions Von Doussa Steeplechase (3250m) at Oakbank on Wednesday.

Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston is hopeful his improving three-year-old Milford Sound (NZ) (Ocean Park) will be up to the task of taking on the North Island classic generation in the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni this weekend.

Group One winner Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) will be in action at Awapuni on Saturday, where he will be tried beyond a mile for the first time in his career in the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m).

Champion racemare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) stepped out for an exhibition gallop between races at Tauranga on Saturday as she continues her preparation for her upcoming assignments in Australia.

The local stable of Michael and Matthew Pitman flexed its muscles at Riccarton on Saturday, winning the first four events on the nine-race card, providing proof they will be a force to be reckoned with as Easter racing looms.

Promising mare Les Crayeres (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) will head to the spelling paddock off the back of a stylish performance over 1400m at Tauranga on Saturday.

Annavisto (NZ) (Reliable Man) has secured some important black-type for her connections with an all-the-way victory in the Listed Bendigo Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.

The Grant and Alana Williams-trained three-year-old Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj) proved a class above his rivals as expected in the Listed Melvista Stakes (2200m) at Ascot on Saturday, comfortably holding Outback Jack who headed home the remainder of the small six-horse field.

Cambridge conditioner Stephen Marsh enjoyed a successful day at Riccarton on Saturday when honest mare Belle Fascino provided him with the second leg of a race to race double in the feature event on the card, the Gr.3 Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).

Leading northern rider Leith Innes produced a front-running masterclass at Tauranga on Saturday as he guided gritty galloper Packing Rockstar (Fastnet Rock) to his first stakes victory in the Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m).

Exciting three-year-old Rocket Spade provided his connections with the perfect dress rehearsal for his Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) challenge next month when he gave his age-group rivals a start and a beating over 1600m at Tauranga on Saturday.

Trainers Michael & Matthew Pitman are pleased with the condition of stakes winning mare All About Magic (NZ) (Showcasing) as she looks to land the spoils for the home team in the Gr.3 Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday.

The Tony Pike-trained Rangi Toa was an impressive debut winner of the Kasa Bloodstock 2YO (1100m) at New Plymouth on Friday, and has the makings of a horse with plenty of ability.

South Auckland jockey Andrew Calder landed a winning double at Tauranga last Saturday and will be hoping for more of the same when he returns to the Bay of Plenty course tomorrow.

Trainer Bill Pomare won’t be the least bit surprised if his stable star Ocean Billy does the almost unthinkable and wins tomorrow’s Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m).

One of the true gentlemen of the thoroughbred world is to be honoured with induction to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.

The early bird entries for the NZB Insurance Pearl Series are set to close on March 31.

Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley enjoyed a day out on his home track, saddling three winners on Wednesday headed by impressive juvenile Quicken Away (Vancouver), who defeated a strong field over 1200m to book his place in next month’s Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

Te Akau principal David Ellis and trainer Jamie Richards have elected to remain in New Zealand with Group One-winning juvenile Sword Of State (Snitzel).

Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman landed an early double at Pukekohe on Wednesday, with promising three-year-olds Daqiansweet Junior (NZ) (Sweet Orange) and Granados (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) both scoring over 2100m and shaping as stayers of the future.

Leading trainer Stephen Marsh is getting the best of both worlds with talented mare Belle Fascino (NZ) (Per Incanto).

Clinton Isdale has put plenty of work into improving Tina Again’s (NZ) (El Roca) barrier manners, and the Te Awamutu trainer is starting to reap the rewards for his efforts.

Hall of Fame trainer John Wheeler will be back in Australia in a serious way this autumn, targeting the Sydney autumn carnival as well as making his regular raid on the Oakbank jumping carnival in South Australia.

Trainer Stephen Nickalls is still coming down off the high of Llanacord’s (NZ) (Contributer) effort to run third in Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).

Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley will downsize his team at the end of May to concentrate on training just those horses he has an ownership interest in.

Group One winner Travelling Light (NZ) (El Roca) will be on trial for an Australian assignment at Tauranga this weekend.

Group Two-winning filly Needle And Thread (Makfi) will undergo minor surgery later this week to remove a bone chip.

The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Cheaperthandivorce (NZ) (Savabeel) will head to the spelling paddock and won’t be seen again this season despite finding the line well for fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) last Saturday.

A Queensland campaign could be on the cards for Charms Star (NZ) (Per Incanto) after her runner-up effort in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday.

New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock) is likely to be seen in action at Tauranga this weekend, where the Group One winner will step out over a mile for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.

Highden Park principals Libby and Sam Bleakley were still left pinching themselves on Monday morning as they were coming to grips with yet another farm graduate winning the Hong Kong Derby (2000m).

A decisive victory at Tauranga could have promising three-year-old No Filter (NZ) (Toronado) on a path towards a start in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa in May.

It’s a case of business as usual for Te Akau Racing trainer Jamie Richards despite the postponement of the Golden Slipper racemeeting at Rosehill due to heavy rain on Saturday, and over the days preceding.

Trainer Mike Breslin believes honest mare Jessiegee (NZ) (Alamosa) is more than deserving of a slice of big race luck after the plucky seven-year-old went within a neck of causing an upset in Saturday’s Gr.3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.

No three-year-old in New Zealand this season has enjoyed as much black-type success as the prolific winner Need I Say More (No Nay Never), who added Saturday’s Gr.2 Fusion Electrical Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham to his near-faultless formline.

Less than an hour after lamenting bad luck in one Trentham feature on Saturday afternoon, Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard struck gold in the next one with stable favourite Grand Mayson (NZ) (Power).

Talented three-year-old Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) gave her rivals a galloping lesson as she claimed a brilliant victory in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham.

Progressive galloper Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress) delighted her army of fans when taking out the Gr.3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) on Saturday, but it was a close-run thing in the Trentham feature for the fillies and mares.

Class prevailed at Trentham on Saturday when last-start Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) winner Waisake (NZ) (Zed) collected another feature race at the venue with a gritty victory in the Listed Fasttrack Insurance 5K New Zealand St. Leger (2600m).

Jockey Andrew Calder is confident punters can get off to a good start at Tauranga on Saturday where he partners $2.10 favourite No Filter in the opening event for his father-in-law Richard Collett.

Stakes-winning filly Zee Falls could be in line for a trip to Sydney if she performs well in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday.

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is gearing up for a busy weekend of racing, where he will saddle runners at Trentham and Tauranga on Saturday, and as many as five starters at Te Aroha on Sunday.

Otaki conditioner Johnno Benner has a strong record in the Gr.2 Fusion Electrical Wellington Guineas (1400m), which he is hoping to extend at Trentham on Saturday.

Group Three performer Irish Girl (NZ) (El Roca) will be looking to extend her impressive run of form at Tauranga on Saturday when she contests the Mills Reef Winery 1200.

Opie Bosson will chase a fifth win in Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m), a race he has only ridden in sporadically in recent years.

Stephen Autridge and Kris Shailer head into Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) confident in the staying ability of their Group Two-winning filly Needle And Thread (Makfi).

Racing Minister Grant Robertson is expanding the search for nominations for the TAB NZ Board.

Trainer Allan Sharrock will have his fingers-crossed on Saturday when Sinarahma (NZ) (Darci Brahma) makes her return to Trentham.

Live Drama (NZ) (Ghibellines) will be out to extend her picket fence form line when she contests the Listed Hardy Trade Supply Company Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham on Saturday.

Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) is set to expand into New Zealand announcing plans to acquire 29 TAB NZ AM/FM radio licences and signing former New Zealand Test captain Brendon McCullum as headline talent.

Terri Rae will put two newcomers to her stable on trial for Group race spoils at Ashburton on Thursday.

The Lance Noble-trained La Capita (Capitalist) will make her raceday debut at Matamata on Wednesday in the Tokoroa Club (INC) 1200 for two-year-olds.

While an Australian campaign is enticing for the connections of Avantage (Fastnet Rock), Te Akau principal David Ellis and trainer Jamie Richards have elected to keep the multiple Group One winner in New Zealand for now.

New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson hopes Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress) will make Sam Collett think twice about riding boom mare Levante in Group One company next month.

Enzo’s Lad (Testa Rossa) will return to Trentham on Saturday in a bid to retain his crown in the Listed Hardy Trade Supply Company Lightning Handicap (1200m).

The Ballymore Stables of Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard are likely to be represented by two runners in Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m), headed by Group Two-winning filly Tokorangi (NZ) (Redwood) and her Group Three-placed stablemate Dragon Queen.

Leading two-year-old Sword Of State (Snitzel) will not run in Saturday’s Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill, but could still play a role in the Sydney Autumn Carnival.

Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), New Zealand’s darling of the turf, will continue her farewell tour in Sydney later this month.

The connections of exciting galloper Levante (NZ) (Proisir) will be looking for an indication on any changes to the current trans-Tasman travel restrictions before making a decision on her next raceday assignment.

Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott look likely to produce a triple threat at the Sydney autumn carnival after another stellar day for their Wexford Stables at Ellerslie on Saturday.

While he is still coming to terms with winning the first Group One of his training career, Rotorua’s Bill Pomare knows he could have some big decisions to make with his stable star Ocean Billy (NZ) (Ocean Park).

Champion mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) created a piece of New Zealand racing history at Ellerslie on Saturday when she strode to victory in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher NZ Stakes (2000m), her fourteenth win at the elite level, to surpass the mighty Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun) for the most Group One wins in the modern era for a New Zealand-trained galloper.

Quality two-year-old Sword Of State (Snitzel) and rider Opie Bosson made it a one-horse affair at Ellerslie on Saturday when they blitzed their rivals in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m).

Rotorua galloper Ocean Billy (NZ) (Ocean Park) gave trainer Bill Pomare his biggest thrill on a racecourse when he proved too tough in the concluding stages when taking out Saturday’s Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie.

Following the Government’s announcement that Auckland will join the remainder of the country in COVID-19 alert level 1 from midday today, crowds will be welcomed on-course to Ellerslie’s Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day on Saturday.

Group One plans weren’t originally on the cards for Fonsalette (NZ) (Belardo) this weekend, but that all changed earlier this week when the nominations came out for the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m).

Despite being booked for only two rides, Saturday’s Auckland Cup meeting at Ellerslie has the potential to be a special day in the saddle for Troy Harris.

Veteran stayer Roger That (NZ) (Shinko King) is shaping as the forgotten horse in Saturday’s Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m).

Wanganui trainer Raymond Connors put a circle around the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) several months ago for promising stayer Hurry Cane (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu), but injury has put a halt to those plans.

Milford Sound (NZ) (Ocean Park) broke maiden ranks on Thursday with a stylish win in the Piccadilly Books Stocktake Sale On Until 15 March Maiden (1600m) at Riccarton.

Bookmakers may be favouring defending champ Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in Saturday’s Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie but her trainer Jamie Richards is backing Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) as the pick of his pair.

Roydon Bergerson has been trying to get over a few mental hurdles with a couple of his runners and he is hoping that effort will bear fruit at Trentham this weekend.

Mornington trainer Brett Scott is conscious and talking as he recovers from being kicked in the head by a horse last Wednesday.

The Chris Bothwell-trained Arjaybee (NZ) (Highly Recommended) made a winning debut at Otaki on Thursday, coming from last under apprentice Taiki Yanagida to blouse her rivals late in the Aquashield Roofing 3YO Maiden (1200m).

Otaki trainers Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard enjoyed a good day on their home track on Wednesday.

Matamata trainer Graham Richardson wasn’t planning to run Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) until he saw the nominations – or rather, the lack of them.

Andrew Carston is hoping suggestions that he might have one of the best-credentialled maiden gallopers in the South Island are short-lived.

Fresh from giving one Ellerslie Group One race a big shake, Steven Cole is hoping to do so again next weekend.

The Kam Transport Marlborough Cup (2000m) will have a new home away from home this year when its 100^th running is held at Riccarton on Thursday.

The unreserved auction of recently retired, multiple stakes winner Miss Federer (NZ) (Swiss Ace) has launched on Gavelhouse Plus today and will run through until 7pm (NZ) on Monday 15 March.

Kiwi import Impecunious (NZ) (Sacred Falls) is set to take her place in Saturday’s Gr.2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young at Rosehill on Saturday.

Quality four-year-old mare Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock) will be given her chance to shine across the Tasman after a dominant victory in Sunday’s Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie.

Bob Vance is hoping Royal Performer (Medicean) can secure another elite-level victory when he contests the Gr.1 Bonecrusher NZ Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Twenty-four hours on from winning the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) with Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock) on Sunday, trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott were basking in the glory of a job well done.

Trainers Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard have plenty of options to mull over with Group Two-winning filly Tokorangi (NZ) after the daughter of Redwood finished seventh in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Sunday.

Kevin Gray didn’t train the winner of the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie on Sunday, but he still took some comfort from the result, having bred race victor Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock).

In a desperate three-way finish to the blue riband Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m), it was race favourite Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock) who came out on top at the conclusion of a thrilling contest.

Punters who thought the result of the Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) was a foregone conclusion when installing glamour filly Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) a red-hot $1.30 favourite for the race were left hanging on the result of the photo-finish to a thrilling contest in the fillies feature.

A heavy downpour during the running of Sunday’s Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) proved no hindrance to exciting mare Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock) as she produced a flashing burst of speed to capture her second successive Group Three victory.

Within the space of just four days, a huge black-type double for three-year-old progeny of Contributer (High Chaparral) has rewarded years of hard work for Simms Davison and the Mapperley Stud team.

Talented three-year-old The Gift proved too tough for her age group rivals at Wingatui on Saturday as she collected her first black-type success in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m).

Prominent breeder and racehorse owner Daniel Nakhle was a bundle of nerves as he waited for Saturday’s two-year-old race at Wingatui to get underway.

Leading Central Districts rider Johnathan Parkes continued his winning roll aboard Jamie Richards-trained two-year-olds when he guided well related Savabeel youngster I Wish I Win to a comfortable victory in the opening race at Awapuni.

Bradbury Park principals Casey and Michelle Dando are fizzing ahead of the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on Sunday.

Byerley Park trainer Peter Williams was a relieved man when the news came through that Ellerslie would play host to the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) meeting on Sunday.

The Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) meeting will take place at Ellerslie on Sunday after New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden announced Auckland would drop to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 at 6am on Sunday.

Australian punters pouring over the New Zealand form of Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) favourite Aegon could easily be led down the garden path believing the talented three-year-old is a rain-affected galloper as he prepares to face a Good 4 Randwick surface.

A track invader who jumped three fences and stood in the middle of the Trentham course while the field went around him fronted court on Thursday.

Canterbury trainer Ross Beckett is in no hurry for his talented filly Larpower (NZ) (Power) to break a winning habit.

Promising two-year-old Drum Major (NZ) (Epaulette) will be on trial for a tilt at Group One glory when he lines-up in the HR Jones & Co Ltd 2YO (1200m) at Awapuni on Saturday.

The Stephen Nickalls-trained Llanacord (NZ) (Contributer) landed the Gr.2 Little Avondale Stud Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings on Wednesday to provide the Rangiotu trainer, who part-owns the three-year-old filly, with his biggest moment in racing.

The Danny Walker-trained On Display (NZ) (Showcasing) did not accept for Sunday’s Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Wednesday after a foot issue was discovered on Tuesday night. 

Otaki trainer Johno Benner believes it’s far from a vintage running of this year’s Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m), but he’s hardly complaining.

The New Zealand Derby meeting could be held at either Hastings or Ellerslie on Sunday, but Jamie Richards is hoping for the latter.

Punters should disregard Fleetwood Maca’s (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) last two runs when assessing her chances in the Gr.2 Little Avondale Stud Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings on Wednesday according to co-trainer Pam Gerard.

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is heading to Hastings on Wednesday to try and record more Group honours with Zee Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls), but he could be back in Hawke’s Bay in just a matter of days in search of bigger spoils.

High-class mare Levante (NZ) (Proisir) ran out a ready winner of her 1230m heat at the Rotorua trials on Tuesday and most importantly jumped away cleanly from the starting gates and will be seen back at the races on Saturday week.

Talented three-year-olds Unition (Fastnet Rock) and Suffused (Choisir) have been sold and will do their future racing in Hong Kong.

Racing Administrators remain hopeful that Ellerslie will be the venue for this year’s Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m), but a call as to whether the bumper race meeting can proceed at Auckland’s premier course on Sunday will be made as late as Friday afternoon.

There aren’t many better ways for a jockey to celebrate buying a new home than riding a treble the next day.

The Danny Walker-trained On Display (NZ) (Showcasing) is likely to be a late nomination for Sunday’s Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) after his final serious hit-out on Tuesday morning.