Kiwi Chronicles
Weather Gods strike again
The fact that weather is out of our control does not disguise our sheer disappointment when it ruins a popular event and the latest victim is the Matamata Racing Club’s Breeders’ Stakes Day, last Saturday. Last spring, a number of New Zealand race meetings were either abandoned or postponed due to weather. Last month Matamata... Read More
More from Kiwi Chronicles
Following up
While the Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) story continues to grow, courtesy of First Five’s stunning BCD Sprint (Gr 1, 1400m) win, Te Papa’s “Legends Day” belonged to Waikato Stud’s Ocean Park (Thorn Park). Two of his daughters, Ohope Wins and Autumn Glory, not only nabbed the two 3YO features, they also became the top two favourites... Read More
A week to remember
A week to remember Not too long ago (2019) the scene at Cambridge Stud was somewhat bleak, the stud having lost three stallions: Tavistock (Montjeu), Roaring Lion (Kitten’s Joy) and Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), within months of each other. At the time it was difficult to imagine how the legacy of Sir Patrick Hogan might recover... Read More
Outside the square
The sole New Zealand stakes race last weekend took place at Ellerslie, the last meeting at the track before the big Karaka Millions night, set for January 24. Named after former New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Gingernuts (Iffraaj), the Gingernuts Salver (Listed, 2100m) provides a preview of Derby aspirants as it is not... Read More
First and last
New Zealand’s first Group 1 of 2026 saw a continuation of the great run of stakes results by Cambridge Stud’s Almanzor (Wootton Bassett). Readers may remember Kiwi Chronicles’ final report of 2025 (December 16th) which detailed that Almanzor had sired three new stakes winners during the previous four Saturdays. Making it four new stakes winners... Read More
Inch perfect
Prior to Saturday’s running of the Mufhasa Stakes (Gr 1, 1600) punters had difficulty separating Waitak (Proisir), La Crique (Vadamos) and Legarto (Proisir) and to their credit these three finished second, third and fourth but a patient and perfectly timed ride from George Rooke aboard Provence (Savabeel) stole the show which included an agonizing wait... Read More