Curraghmore celebrated widespread success at the weekend with winners in three countries and highlighted by the domestic stakes of rising star Snazzytavi.

Two weeks after finishing second to Sumi (NZ) (Atlante) at the previous Te Rapa meeting, Freeze Frame (NZ) (Vadamos) reversed that result in Saturday’s rematch with the talented Taranaki raider.

Classy sprinter Wewillrock (NZ) (El Roca) was a winner and black-type placegetter in Sydney last winter, and a return to Australia is looming large on his horizon after an easy win in Saturday’s Carpet Maintenance & Cleaning (1200m) at Wanganui.

A pair of regally-bred fillies featured in the finish of the Cambridge Raceway 2YO (1200m) on Saturday at Te Rapa, with Thooza (NZ) (Almanzor) coming out on top on debut over Sister Cynane.

Peter Didham was left scratching his head following Danjuro’s (NZ) (Saxon Warrior) poor showing in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham earlier this month, and has decided to go back to the drawing board with the talented three-year-old.

Notable black-type performances in both New Zealand and Australia on ANZAC Day may have set the tone for a big trans-Tasman weekend for Andrew Forsman.

Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are heading into Saturday’s meeting at Te Rapa with the fixed-odds favourites for both of the thoroughbred mecca’s traditional flagship races.

Hall of Fame trainer Graeme Rogerson is hoping to see his distinctive red, blue and green colours feature prominently at Te Rapa on both of the next two Saturdays.

The racing industry is mourning the death of training great Dave O’Sullivan, 90, following his passing on Friday.

Progressive staying three-year-old Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish) tuned up for next week’s Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) with a strong win in the Gr.3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) at Morphettville for trainer Patrick Payne and jockey Jake Noonan.

Just twenty-four hours after the passing of Wexford Stables figurehead Dave “DJ” O’Sullivan, the New Zealand training icon would have been looking down on Te Rapa with a beaming smile as promising filly I’munstoppable (NZ) (Charm Spirit) led from go to whoa to capture the Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) for the Matamata operation. 

Progressive filly Tomodachi (NZ) (Tarzino) provided a fitting result in the opening event at Te Rapa on Saturday, a day where one of the greats of the New Zealand training ranks was remembered after the passing of Dave “DJ” O’Sullivan twenty-four hours earlier.

Two years after taking out the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) with Carolina Reaper (NZ) (Vespa), Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall have repeated and surpassed that result with a one-three finish headed by the rising star Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock). 

If Apostrophe (NZ) (Tavistock) has run her final race, the talented mare signed off on a successful career in style with a powerful finish to capture the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Handy three-year-old Lantern Way (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) returned to his best at Wanganui on Saturday with the aid of a gear change paving the way for a visit to the winners’ enclosure following the running of the Commdives NZ 3YO (1340m). 

Islington Lass (NZ) will face the sternest test of her career at Otaki and Allan Sharrock is more than confident Proisir’s daughter can rise to the challenge.

Promising filly Bedtime Story (NZ) (Per Incanto) will be looking for a fairytale ending to her three-year-old season when she heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).

Ben and Ryan Foote will be represented by a pair of stakes contenders at Te Rapa and are expecting bold showings from the duo.

Sam Mynott has been ticking up the air miles over the Tasman Sea this week and she is hoping it will all be worth it when she lines up her first horse in Australia on Saturday.

Key strategic changes across the two equine codes headline the 2024-25 New Zealand racing calendar released today.

Consistent three-year-old Beau Brummell (NZ) (Embellish) commenced a successful journey south for jockey Warren Kennedy, who picked up a trio of winners at Phar Lap Raceway on Wednesday.

Impendabelle (Impending) proved herself at the highest-level last campaign, and the talented filly is poised to strike in a fresh state in Saturday’s Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa.

Cambridge trainer Lauren Brennan will head to Te Rapa on Saturday with a couple of in-form runners for breeder-owner Greg McCarthy, and she is expecting them both to go well.

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott training partnership have been in white hot form this season with 48 wins to their credit, including seven at Group or Listed level, headed by the victory of Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November.

Riverton horsewoman Kelly Shearing will head north to Wingatui on Sunday with a trio of runners, headlined by last start winner In Vogue (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) in the Otago Daily Times 65 2200m.

Following the partial abandonments of race meetings at Ellerslie on 10 and 20 April, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) have announced the planned winter renovation of their newly installed StrathAyr track will commence immediately, with their May 25 meeting to be transferred to Pukekohe Park.

Progressive filly Moonlight Magic (NZ) (Almanzor) took a significant last-start step toward the goal of a third Group One winner for The Sunlight Trust with her breakthrough success at stakes level.

November Rain was a standout filly for Matthew Goodson and Dianna Perron, but she has proven to be a test of patience as a broodmare for the husband-and-wife duo, which was rewarded on Saturday through the deeds of her daughter No Rain Ever (No Nay Never).

Trainers Sophie Hargreaves and Naomi Murfitt will be on a fact-finding mission when they head to Phar Lap Raceway with Brancaster Bomber (NZ) (Showcasing) on Wednesday.

Espadas could be destined for a future across the Tasman following his maiden victory at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Westbury Stud stalwart Swiss Ace continues to be a reliable source of winners and the Group One-winning sprinter was again to the fore at the weekend.

John Blackadder will travel down to Phar Lap Raceway on Wednesday with the appeal of an Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series bonus for Yoshime.

Riverton galloper Lightning Jack will aim for back-to-back victories on his adopted home track of Otaki on Thursday when contesting the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m).

The trend of big wins for lower-profile stables during Riccarton’s autumn carnival continued in the Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) on Saturday, where well-travelled veteran Green Luck (Street Cry) delivered a career highlight for Timaru trainer Stephanie Faulkner.

Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman will look to add black type to Russian Satire’s outstanding pedigree page after a last-to-first win in Saturday’s Auckland Co-Op Taxis (1500m) at Ellerslie.

A week after becoming only the second New Zealand trainer to reach 2000 wins, South Island racing icon Michael Pitman teamed up with jockey Lisa Allpress to celebrate another notable milestone in Saturday’s Avon City Ford Rating 75 (2600m) at Riccarton.

Class galloper Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) put his name firmly in the frame for a proposed Queensland Winter Carnival venture when he kicked off a new campaign with an impressive victory at Ellerslie in the opening event, the Barfoot & Thompson 1200.

Central Districts-based jockey Portia Matthews got her jumps season off to the perfect start with a winning double at Hawera on Sunday.

Andrew Forsman will be chasing several repeats of history with seven runners across the two features events at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Stephen Marsh has made a habit of excelling at this stage of the season with his emerging two-year-old talent, and the Cambridge trainer is hoping to continue that trend in Saturday’s Listed TAB Star Way Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.

Sailor Jack ended his campaign on a winning note at Waverley on Thursday and now the four-win gelding could be set to further his career in Australia next year if everything goes to plan.

Gail Temperton is hoping her promising hurdler Harry Harrison can gain valuable fitness ahead of an exciting season with a resuming run in the Chillco (2850m) on Sunday at Hawera.

Robbie Patterson has already won twice as many Group and Listed races in 2023-24 as any other season in his career, and the New Plymouth trainer has three chances to add to that tally at Riccarton on Saturday.

Local trainer Rosie Gibbs made a welcome return to the winner’s stall following Glimmer’s commanding debut performance in the Treadwell Gordon 1200 at Waverley on Thursday.

Premiership-leading jockey Warren Kennedy was the first to crack the 100-win mark for the season at Matamata on Friday when guiding Lightning Dream to victory in the Auto Super Shoppe Matamata 1600.

Central Districts filly No Rain Ever (No Nay Never) bounced back from an uncharacteristically poor performance seven days ago at Riccarton to secure a hard-fought stakes victory when taking out the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m).

An autumn trip to Canterbury has turned out to be career-defining for Matamata mare Sassy Merlot (NZ) (Burgundy), who added a valuable black-type win to her record in Saturday’s Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton.

Underrated three-year-old filly Moonlight Magic (NZ) (Almanzor) employed a barnstorming finish from last to secure a valuable stakes victory when she captured the Gr.3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie in spectacular fashion.

Exciting juvenile Domain Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace) maintained his perfect record with a dominant win in Saturday’s Listed TAB Starway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.

Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall were rapt with their treble at Arawa Park on Wednesday, and they are hoping they can continue that winning form into the rest of the week.

Up and coming staying prospect Investigate (NZ) (Dundeel) promises to give another bold account of himself at Ellerslie on Saturday in what is likely to be the final appearance of his current campaign.

Fraser Auret couldn’t find any reason not to send his ultra-consistent filly Race Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace) south to chase down a deserved black-type victory.

Fresh off his rich payday after taking out last Saturday’s $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) at Riccarton, Matscot (NZ) (Haradasun) will return to the Christchurch track this weekend in search of more feature spoils.

Group Two performer Zaila (Street Boss) was in a purple patch of form late last year and trainer Kylie Hoskin is hoping she can pick up where she left off when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday.

Wairarapa gelding Times Ticking (NZ) (Tavistock) has an affinity with the South Island, and he will be looking to extend that record when he heads to Riccarton on Saturday.

Good Oil (NZ) (Dalghar) has continued to impress Andrew Forsman this season and the Cambridge trainer will give the eye-catching frontrunner his first Australian test in Saturday’s Listed Mornington Cup (2400m).

A bright future is being tipped for Super Photon following his debut win in the Arawa Park Hotel 2YO 1150 at Rotorua on Wednesday.

Eudora (NZ) (Pins) has proved to be an invaluable and much-loved member of the Waikato Stud broodmare band.

After spending more than two decades travelling the world as a chef, Gavin Opie returned to New Zealand 14 years ago to pursue his initial love of horses, and now he has joined the 100-win club as a trainer.

Jim and David Wallace are savouring the best of both worlds with their Ardsley Stud homebred War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel).

Epee Beel’s  (Epaulette) victory in Saturday’s Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton was a welcome result for breeder Monovale Farm.

New Zealand’s reigning Champion Jumper, West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu), is set to resume at Waverley on Thursday and trainer Mark Oulaghan has a plethora of options ahead of him this season with the eight-year-old gelding.

Joanne Surgenor had plenty of success a couple of seasons ago with multiple Group Two winner Showoroses, and now she is set to unveil a close relative that she believes has just as much talent.

Regally-bred colt Magice (NZ) (Savabeel) has plenty of pressure to live up to his family name, but he will begin that challenge when he makes his debut in the Arawa Park Hotel 2YO 1150 at Rotorua on Wednesday.

Orchestral has returned to New Zealand after a sensational campaign, which culminated in a bold effort for third in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.

Matamata thoroughbred nursery Elsdon Park have had a memorable week in Sydney with the progeny of young broodmare Daniela’s Magic, culminating in stakes success at Randwick on Saturday.

A bright future over further ground is being marked for Zantabulous after the Te Akau mare scored impressively over a mile at Te Rapa on Sunday.

Ellerslie has been given the green light to return to racing following the conclusion of a successful trials meeting on Monday.

The Hottie (NZ) (Swiss Ace) produced an ideal prelude to next Saturday’s Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m) with a dominant display down the chute at Riccarton Park on Saturday.

Talented four-year-old Mr Mojo Risin’ (NZ) (Deep Field) has recently returned home after a successful stint in Melbourne, and he has wasted no time in making his mark on a New Zealand racetrack.

Two-year-old filly Star Shadow (NZ) (Reliable Man) made an impressive winning debut at Otaki when she came from last on the home corner to take out the McMillan Equine Feeds 2YO (1300m).

Promising youngster Renovations is further vindication of Cody Cole’s eye for young thoroughbred talent.

The Listed Riccarton Park Function Centre Welcome Stakes (1000m) has been moved to a new position on the South Island’s racing calendar, but its first autumn running at Riccarton on Saturday brought no change to Te Akau Racing’s dominance of the two-year-old feature. 

New Plymouth trainer Janelle Millar secured the seventh black-type win of her career in Saturday’s Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) at Otaki, and this one meant more than most. 

The brand-new $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) was created with the goal of giving lower-profile southern stables their moment in the sun, and the inaugural running at Riccarton on Saturday could hardly have done that better.

Underrated filly Epee Beel claimed her first career stakes victory in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) on Saturday, and in doing so brought up a special milestone for co-trainer Michael Pitman as she became winner number 2000 in New Zealand for the Riccarton maestro. 

If ever a horse deserved a big race victory it is the consistent sprinter Imwonderfultonight, and the mare got that result at Otaki on Saturday when she took out the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m).

Wexford Stables have the future in the forefront of their minds with a couple of juvenile debutants at Te Rapa on Sunday.

With the curtain coming down on the racing career of Te Akau Racing’s 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz yesterday, they are now looking forward to unveiling their next future star, which could very well come at Riccarton on Saturday.

After 10 wins, more than $4 million in stakes and three seasons of putting Go Racing’s name in lights in Australia, the Kiwi syndicators’ remarkable ride with Atishu is set to come to an end in Saturday’s Gr.1 Queen of the Turf (1600m) at Randwick.

Having already secured a special place in South Island racing history through a career spanning more than four decades, it would be fitting for Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman to take a share of the spotlight during an exciting raceday on his home track on Saturday.

Ascot Park trainer Tommy Beckett has had plenty of highlights in his three decades of training, but the pinnacle came a fortnight ago when Miss Pearl (NZ) (Tavistock) won at Riverton.

Riverton trainer Ebony Turner had intended on having a two-pronged attack in Saturday’s Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton, but she is happy to just have the sole representative in Caffeinated (NZ) (Belardo) following the recent sale of her stable star Drakaina (NZ) (Ace High).

A trip to the Queensland winter carnival is in the mix for progressive mare Imwonderfultonight (I Am Invincible) and she could firm up plans with another strong showing this weekend.

An investigation is set to commence tomorrow morning (Thursday) into the abandonment of Ellerslie’s Wednesday meeting as a result of safety concerns following a slip on the venues newly installed StrathAyr track.

He’s captured two of New Zealand’s biggest staying scalps and now Cambridge gelding Mahrajaan (Kitten’s Joy) has crossed the Tasman to try and assert his dominance in Australia.

Talented filly No Rain Ever (No Nay Never) has yet to fully convince connections that she can be effective over more ground, and she will have the opportunity to bury any doubts on that score at Riccarton.

Timaru’s Washdyke racecourse is synonymous with some of the iconic names in New Zealand and Australian racing history, however, it’s now timely to reflect on the contribution of one of its unsung heroes, long-time chief executive Paul Hinsley.

In the wake of the abandonment of Wednesday’s race meeting at Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR), in conjunction with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), have undertaken a comprehensive investigation, resulting in an agreed plan of action that will be implemented to address safety concerns and ensure future racing success.

Robbie Patterson will chase further southern spoils at Riccarton Park on Saturday, with promising filly It’s Doris (NZ) (Telperion) contesting the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m).

Te Akau Racing will continue their raid on The Championships in Sydney with a pair of in-form chances at Randwick this weekend, including quality filly Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m).

Consecutive victories have propelled Chattahoochee (NZ) (Reliable Man) toward his first crack at a black-type feature.

Nigel Tiley is hoping to see a deserved maiden success for Vila Belmiro (Santos) as he lines up a warm-favourite for the TAB 1100 at Ellerslie on Wednesday.

Dual Group One winner La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) has certainly been a test of patience for trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander, with the couple faced with their sternest test with the mare in the last couple of weeks.

With the jumps season fast approaching, Dylan Mcdonagh has been a welcome addition to the depleted New Zealand jumps jockey riding ranks in the last week.

Ascot Park trainer Robert Dennis continued his good run of form at his home track on Sunday, securing a winning double and bookending the eight-race meeting in the process.

Manawatu horsewoman Gail Temperton has experienced a stellar month, which got even better on Saturday when her homebred mare Royal Flower attained black-type when placing in the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) at Trentham.

Jockey Wiremu Pinn put the icing on the cake of his most successful day in the saddle when he guided Bradman (NZ) (Pins) to an upset victory in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday.

Te Akau Racing produced the goods once again in a major two-year-old event when the highly touted Move To Strike (I Am Invincible) came with a powerful late burst to capture the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham.

Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray continued an outstanding season with their stayers when up-and-coming star Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel) powered home to win the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday.

An impressive performance in Saturday’s Stella Artois (1600m) at Pukekohe capped a breakthrough autumn for Billy Lincoln (NZ) (Belardo), who has strung together three successive victories over the last five weeks.

Progressive galloper Rudyard (NZ) (Charm Spirit) has another victory to add to the win column in his career record after a dramatic finish to the feature race at Pukekohe on Saturday, the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1300 (1300m).

The rise of promising sprinter Platinum Attack (Santos) continued at Trentham on Saturday, claiming his fourth win on the bounce in The Oaks Stud Premier (1200m).

Andrew Forsman commenced a big week of racing in winning fashion on both sides of the Tasman.

Full Force (Cosmic Force) fitted a formula that vendor Kilgravin Lodge has previously enjoyed racing success with and that process could take them to the highest level this weekend.

Top juvenile Velocious (Written Tycoon) moves into serious bonus territory at Trentham on Saturday.

New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock will saddle three runners in his bid for back-to-back victories in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday.

A year after his triumph in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m), classy four-year-old Arby (NZ) (Proisir) will chase another feature on Manawatu’s feature day, the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m).

Stakes performers Saint Bathans and Devastate will take an important step towards an Ellerslie feature when contesting the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1300 at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Ascot Park trainer Robert Dennis is set to line-up eight horses at his home meeting on Sunday and is hopeful of taking home several winning cheques.

A future in Hong Kong could be on the cards for consistent three-year-old Just As Sharp if he performs up to expectations in the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday.

In the gap between two enormously exciting weekends in Australia, Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are hoping to maintain their winning form in the two domestic meetings in New Zealand on Saturday.

Last start Group One winner Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto) looks to have run her last race, with the Lisa Latta-trained mare entered for next month’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Broodmare sale.

Exciting youngster Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) will be hoping to end his juvenile season this Saturday the way he started it, winning at Trentham.

Jo Rathbone is hoping to reap the benefits of a patient season with Torque Time (NZ) (Guillotine) as the promising steeplechaser commences his campaign at Wanganui on Friday.

Tony Pike is confident of another bold showing on Saturday from Archaic Smile (Saxon Warrior) at Trentham where she has already enjoyed black-type success.

Canterbury sprinter Our Echo (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) will make the trip across the Cook Strait once more this week to take his place in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday.

No Plan Be (NZ) (Tarzino) will bid to continue a proud family record at Ruakaka when she resumes on her home course on Wednesday.

Group One-winning trainer Cydne Evans recorded her first win since moving to Waverley three years ago when Stringline (NZ) (Alamosa) took out the Riverstone Café Handicap (2100m) at Otaki on Monday in the hands of Kozzi Asano.

Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock) has enjoyed a standout season for trainer Roydon Bergerson and is now enjoying some well-deserved time in the paddock ahead of what could be a lucrative spring campaign.

Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson will head south to Ashburton with a dozen runners on Thursday, including last start winner Adannaya (NZ) (Niagara), who is readying for a stakes assignment.

Rank outsider Lovelock (NZ) (Sacred Falls) turned the formbook upside down when he bolted away with the Riverton Rural Transport Highway Stakes (2147m), the feature flat event at Riverton on Easter Monday.

The visiting Cambridge stable of Ben and son Ryan Foote were to the fore in the opening events at Otaki on Monday where they took out the first two races on the programme.

A rails-hugging ride by Kavish Chowdhoory paved the way for the visiting Michael and Matthew Pitman stable to quinella the opening event on the second day of the annual Riverton Easter Carnival.

Domain Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace) may find himself back on a truck to the Central Districts chasing Group One glory this weekend, after an impressive debut win at Otaki.

Trackside has returned to free-to-air television as part of a refreshed offering for New Zealand racing fans.