A dark cloud has come over racing in West Auckland, with its future in doubt following New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s (NZTR) announcement that no further trial meetings will be held at Avondale Racecourse for the foreseeable future.
Promising three-year-old gelding Dulcet took an important step towards the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) when running out a ready winner at Sale on Wednesday for trainer Chris Waller.
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott aren’t short of talented three-year-olds in their stable this season, and Geriatrix looks to be another promising type after breaking his maiden impressively at Taupo on Wednesday.
Pearl Of Alsace has enjoyed a faultless preparation and will strip at the top of her game for Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings.
Te Akau Racing couldn’t have wished for a better fit at Hastings on Saturday for talented mare Romancing The Moon.
Glenn Old’s phone has been ringing red hot over the last couple of weeks after Adam I Am’s impressive maiden victory at Matamata last month, but the talented four-year-old will remain in New Zealand.
Another chapter in the rivalry between top fillies Illicit Dreams and Viva Vienna will be written on Saturday when the pair meet once more in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton.
The final day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival has been a happy hunting ground for Alby MacGregor and Times Ticking, and the Opaki trainer is hoping that continues on Saturday.
Pride will be an over-riding emotion for Mark Chittick when I Wish I Win goes to the post for Saturday’s A$20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Randwick.
Like many trainers around the country, Vicki Prendergast has been frustrated by the wet weather of late, but is welcoming the sunny forecast leading into the final leg of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival at Hastings on Saturday.
