Star Kiwi mare Imperatriz has once again showed what a blistering turn of speed she has with a sizzling finish to comfortably claim the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Friday night.
All eyes were on standout Satono Aladdin gelding Tokyo Tycoon in the lead-up to Saturday’s Gr.2 Animal Health Direct Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings, but another son of the same stallion stepped out of his shadow and stole the show.
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh was thrilled to see his consistent four-year-old Financier return to the winner’s circle in the Collier’s Commercial HB Premier (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday.
Jockey Blake Shinn concluded a satisfying evening when he guided lightly raced filly Coeur Volante to an impressive victory in the Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on Friday night.
A year on from a breakthrough spring campaign that announced her arrival on the Group One stage, Mustang Valley did it again in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings on Saturday.
Kenny Rae and Krystal Williams will rely on a promising band of youngsters at Riccarton on Saturday.
Talented galloper Ranting was back in the winner’s circle at The Valley on Friday night as he landed the MSC Signs Handicap (1200m) after a daring ground-saving ride by Blake Shinn.
Times Ticking has overcome a setback for a belated crack at a top-flight title at the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival.
Local trainer Guy Lowry held his own against the country’s biggest stables on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival earlier this month, and he is hoping for more of the same at Hastings on Saturday, but he will have to do it without the exciting up-and-comer Jimmysstar.
The excitement surrounding the looming meeting of top three-year-olds Tokyo Tycoon and Crocetti kicked up a gear following the latter’s comfortable victory in the St John’s College Foundation 3YO (1200m) at Te Rapa on Friday.
