Kiwi import Luvnwar scored her first stakes victory when landing the Listed Amelia Park-Belmont Guineas (1600m) at Belmont on Saturday, with a length and a half to spare over runner-up Petrouchka.
Sam Spratt’s ability to control races from the front has been no secret this season, and she was at her very best early at Tauranga with a top ride aboard promising three-year-old Did The Trick.
A win at the South Island’s flagship racecourse was one of the only things missing from the CV of accomplished Winton galloper Midnight Runner, and the nine-year-old ticked that box with a barnstorming come-from-behind performance in Saturday’s Daphne Bannan Memorial (1200m) at Riccarton.
Tauranga horseman Antony Fuller has been chasing a victory in the Seeka Kiwifruit Cup (2100m) for several years, and his talented stayer Khan Hunter got the job done in style on Saturday at his home course.
The talents of Jay Bee Gee and his Hunterville owner-trainer Adrian Bull were clear for all to see at Riccarton on Saturday with a remarkable first-up victory in the Greenwood Amberley Cup (1600m).
The Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1600m) produced one of the most popular winners in its 44-year history with Saturday’s black-type breakthrough by local mare Casino Princess.
Lance Robinson has a feature close to home in mind for Burnvue and Archerfield, and both horses will make their first bid towards a Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) on Saturday at Riccarton Park.
Southland trainer Robert Dennis is making the long trek north to Riccarton with two contenders for their Saturday meeting, including Lofty’s Gift who is shooting for her fifth straight win in the Taggart Earthmoving Rating 75 (2000m).
The 2023-24 season has produced a long line of placings for Waipukurau owner-trainer Lucy de Lautour, who is set to make her presence felt again with two well-credentialled runners at Te Aroha on Sunday.
Cornelia made a bright start to her career with a pair of impressive performances during the summer, and the talented filly will add interest to the early part of Saturday’s Tauranga meeting when she resumes in the Gartshore Construction 3YO (1300m).
