The connections of short-priced favourite Legarto are in for a massive payday following Saturday’s $450,000 Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie, irrespective of the result.
Australian stallion Pariah is living up to his name across the Tasman, with the former Arrowfield Stud stallion set to have just his third New Zealand runner at Otaki on Wednesday.
Champion mare Seachange was a flagship performer for The Oaks Stud and her legacy continues to be felt on both sides of the Tasman.
Multiple Group One winning mare Atishu has claimed a berth in the A$4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) with a strong victory in the Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Smart four-year four-year-old mare Sans Doute recorded her third victory in succession when successful in the Resimax Group Plate (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Underrated mare Maria Farina outsprinted several of the country’s top gallopers to secure Saturday’s Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie.
Te Akau Racing’s former trainer Jamie Richards had a stranglehold on the Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) on New Zealand Derby Day, and his successors Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson continued that tradition at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Lynsey Satherley’s affinity with underrated stayers continued at Ellerslie on Saturday, guiding My Maebelline Girl to victory and a place in next week’s Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m).
Drakaina’s commanding victory in Saturday’s Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui completed a remarkable rise to prominence for a filly that was bought for just $3,000.
Rider Masa Hashizume enjoyed one of his best days in the saddle when he claimed a winning treble at Ellerslie, including an impressive victory aboard Jaarffi in the newly minted $350,000 Rangitoto Classic (1500m).
