New Zealand Latest

Bona Sforza set for Australian tilt after Riccarton success

Bona Sforza (Written By) could be bound for Australia following her victory in the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday. Trained by Samantha Finnegan, the daughter of Written By (Written Tycoon) recorded her second stakes win, 12 months on from claiming the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) at the same meeting. Finnegan has enjoyed notable success with the filly at Riccarton, including a placing in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) and a fourth in the New Zealand 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m), with firm footing a key factor in her performances. “She just needs a firm track,” Finnegan said. “She loves a good surface and Riccarton presents a beautiful track.” Originally set to race at Te Rapa, connections altered plans due to Cyclone Vaianu, instead heading south where the filly again delivered. “The original plan was to go north, but when the weather looked bad we had to change plans and come down here,” she said.  Having now proven herself at a mile, attention is turning to further black-type options, with the Australasian Oaks (Gr 1, 2000m) emerging as a potential target. Purchased for $150,000 from the NZB Book 1 Yearling Sale, Bona Sforza has now won twice from six starts and continues to build a promising record for her small but ambitious stable.

Oceana Dream makes winning Australian debut at Caulfield

Oceana Dream (Ocean Park) made a successful start to his Australian career, returning from a lengthy absence to claim the Ern Jensen Funerals – Pinder Family Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The Ocean Park (Thorn Park) gelding, bred and raced by Ron and Judi Wanless, had not been seen since his fourth start in the New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) in March 2025. During that initial campaign, when trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, he won his first two starts and placed in the Avondale Guineas (Gr 2, 2100m), highlighting his staying potential. Now in the care of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, Oceana Dream was given time to acclimatise in Australia before resuming over a mile. Settling off the pace, he built momentum from the home turn and finished strongly to prevail in a tight finish. “He felt really happy the whole way and I knew I had a lot of horse under me,” jockey Linda Meech said. Coleman said the patient approach had been key to the result. “It’s great to get a win for the Wanless family, who have been so patient,” she said. “He came over with good New Zealand form but needed time to settle, so we gave him a long break. It wasn’t an ideal kick-off over a mile, especially on that track, but it was great to see him so strong late.” Out of Clevedon Bay (Redoute’s Choice), Oceana Dream shapes as a progressive middle-distance prospect, with further improvement expected as he builds fitness this preparation.

Avantaggia earns black-type shot after Otaki win

Avantaggia (Wooton Bassett) took another step towards her pedigree expectations when scoring at Otaki on Saturday to earn a crack at stakes company. The daughter of Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) and champion mare Avantage (Fastnet Rock) landed the Porirua Club Punters Handicap (1200m) under Samantha Collett, registering her second win from five starts. Trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson for Te Akau Racing, the filly has been closely followed since being purchased for A$2.1 million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. “She was strong through the line and it was a good effort,” Walker said. Avantaggia had shown promise in her earlier runs, breaking her maiden at Te Aroha before placing at Matamata, and connections believe she is still developing physically. “She’s taken time to furnish, but she’s only going to get better,” Walker said. The filly is now set to step up to black-type level in the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) on ANZAC Day. The stable also enjoyed a successful weekend, highlighted by a quinella in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) with Enchantment (Hello Youmzain) and Never Too Much (Rubick), while Insatiable (All Too Hard) and Cognoscenti (Castelvecchio) added further wins on the card.