Serious spring business will begin early for trainer Stephen Marsh at Taupo where two of his young stable stars will make their seasonal debuts on Wednesday.
Archaic Smile held her own among the top juveniles last season and she will kick-off an exciting spring three-year-old campaign in the Taupō Pak ’N’ Save 3YO Fillies (1100m) on Wednesday.
Amateur jockey Olivia Helagi was thrilled to notch up her first riding win at Arawa Park on Sunday when guiding the Murray Garrett-trained Impaired Vision to victory in the Patrons Race & Flair Amateur Riders (1950m).
Mark Twain, New Zealand’s leading hope for this year’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), has been ruled out of spring racing with a tendon strain.
The Oaks Stud is hoping Ruakaka’s feature three-year-old event can again provide a springboard to elite level success.
The testing track conditions at Rotorua on Sunday posed no issue for Rudy Liefting’s jumpers, with Mont Ventoux and Renegade Fighter securing the two open contests by sizable margins.
In-form galloper Rise At Dawn is likely to be set for a black-type assignment after notching a comfortable victory at Caulfield on Saturday in the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1600m).
Charred’s tough victory in the K.T Myers Racing Stables Steeplechase (3500m) at Rotorua marked a number of firsts for trainer Paul Mirabelli and jockey Corey Wiles.
Catherine Cameron’s stayer Raajoices was back in the winner’s circle in dominant fashion at Rotorua on Sunday, claiming the Terry Fitzpatrick Memorial (2200m).
The testing track conditions at Rotorua on Sunday posed no issue for Rudy Liefting’s jumpers, with Mont Ventoux and Renegade Fighter securing the two open contests by sizable margins.
