The pot is simmering now but it may be boiling very soon. Proisir (Choisir) enjoyed an outstanding New Zealand 2022-23 season, siring five individual Group 1 winners. Four of the five claimed their victories before the 2023 NZB Karaka Yearling Sales series. The fifth, Prowess, became an elite winner after the sales although she also... Read More

Although ambitious, the plan for Ladies Man (Zed) – convincing winner of the Livamol Classic (Gr 1, 2040m) at Hastings on Saturday – to head to the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m), has plenty of merit. The bookmakers might not agree but the six-year-old’s path has been plotted expertly by Allan Sharrock, a master at... Read More

A seven–day delay was worth the wait after an emphatic return to the winner’s circle from Legarto (Proisir) in the Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m). The mare was pulled from the Arrowfield Stud Plate (Gr 1, 1600m) the previous week due to the deteriorating Hastings track, as was Saturday’s fellow competitor La Crique (Vadamos). Legarto’s slashing... Read More

Despite the arrival of daylight saving time, our New Zealand winter refuses to let go and neither does the rain which caused both Saturday’s Hastings features to be affected, making quite a contrast to the lovely spring conditions for the club’s first day, three weeks earlier. Presented with a Heavy 8 surface, hot favourite Tokyo... Read More

Rich Hill Stud’s Satono Aladdin (Deep Impact) could have a second top notch three-year-old vying for honours this season, judging from the impressive winning effort from Lupo Solitario over a competitive field at Tauranga on Saturday, to remain unbeaten from two starts.  Already represented by last season’s dual Oaks winner, Pennyweka, as well as champion... Read More