Progressive mare Idyllic made good use of her blistering barrier manners and high cruising speed as she led her rivals a merry dance at Awapuni on Saturday.
Wolfy continued his progression in Melbourne on Sunday afternoon when he accounted for a competitive line-up of three-year-olds over 1420m at Flemington.
The Northlanders came to town at Tauranga on Saturday and played a starring role, headed by a quinella for Ruakaka trainer Chris Gibbs in the $50,000 Mills Reef Wines Open (2100m).
Deteriorating track conditions at Awapuni that saw a Soft5 surface turned to a Heavy10 due to persistent rain throughout the day, played right into the hands of local runner Belardo Boy who revelled in the conditions when taking out the Gr.3 Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile (1600m).
Sydney trainer John Sargent is renowned as a master trainer of staying types, and the Kiwi expat unveiled a live VRC Oaks chance when Harlow Mist scored a strong victory in the Kennedy Oaks Preview (1800m) at Flemington on Sunday.
The lightly raced Shock ‘Em Ova lifted his promising career up a notch with an impressive win from well off the pace in Saturday’s Punters.com.au Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.
New Zealand-bred star Militarize came from nowhere to snatch an extraordinary last-gasp triumph in Saturday’s A$1 million Gr.1 Kia Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill.
Godolphin’s New Zealand-bred up-and-comer Marquess made a bold statement at Rosehill on Saturday with a commanding victory in the A$160,000 Irresistible Pools & Spas Handicap (1900m).
Three-year-old filly Basilinna has stamped herself as a stayer of the future following a strong maiden victory over 1600m at Cranbourne on Thursday.
Cambridge trainer Tony Pike enjoyed a raceday double with two promising types at Matamata on Wednesday, highlighted by tough three-year-old Cannon Hill scoring in a competitive age-group race.
