Handy stayer Commander Harry returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in more than 800 days when winning the Quayclean Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield under a perfect Jamie Mott ride.
Six-year-old gelding Piaggio landed a breakthrough metropolitan victory for trainer Greg Eurell when successful at Caulfield on Saturday in the Millennium Services Group Handicap (1600m).
A commanding victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa completed a rare fillies and mares’ feature double for Campionessa.
Commentator George Simon summed up what many were thinking at the finish of the first race at Te Rapa when he uttered the well-known catch cry ‘there’s only one Opie Bosson’.
Former northerner Diamond Girl announced her arrival on the South Island scene with a remarkable front-running performance in Saturday’s $50,000 Shoe Clinic Handicap (1400m) at Ascot Park.
Peter and Dawn Williams have had an outstanding strike rate over the last few weeks, and the Byerley Park trainers will try to continue their high-flying form with a single shot at Group Two success at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand in each of the three stakes races at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) holds fond memories for Te Akau Racing in recent years, having won two of the last four editions of the race, and they will be looking to add to that tally on Saturday.
The well-performed Waisake will take a big step towards his sixth Wellington Cup Carnival with a run in Saturday’s Majestic Horse Floats (2200m) at Trentham.
Promising Southern mare Madam Dubai has given the extended Anderton family something to celebrate over recent months, and she will aim for a hat-trick of victories at Ascot Park on Saturday.
