A tenacious Levin Classic (Gr 1, 1600m) victory by Quintessa (Shamus Award) elevated the plucky filly to be counted as one of the best of this season’s crop of three-year-olds. The question is: How does she measure up to the unbeaten Crocetti (Zacinto), the boom filly Molly Bloom (Ace High) or the talented Lupo Solitario... Read More

This year’s Marton Cup (Listed, 2200m) result was a triumph of patience as forty years has elapsed since the Schumacher family became involved with a mare named Wild Lavender (Varano), the great-granddam of Saturday’s Cup victor Canheroc (El Roca). Wild Lavender was foaled in Great Britain and imported to New Zealand in 1975. Her dam,... Read More

Sometimes a poor result can turn out to be just the opposite. Certainly, that is the case regarding Repo Bay (Shocking) who was offered for sale in May of 2019 carrying yesterday’s Railway (Gr 1, 1200m) victor, Waitak (Proisir). The mare’s vendor is likely relieved that Repo Bay failed to reach her reserve and was... Read More

Sire statistics can look very different during the early days of their career compared with those once a sire is established. Time has a way of levelling out things. Nevertheless, in the case of Satono Aladdin (Deep Impact), we are seeing something a little out of the ordinary. Satono Aladdin is by Japan’s greatest ever... Read More

Of the weekend’s three New Zealand stakes one fell to Australian-bred Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) and one fell to Australian-conceived but New Zealand foaled Desert Lightning (Pride Of Dubai). Those were balanced when the venerable Savabeel (Zabeel) and up-and-comer Ardrossan (Redoute’s Choice) countered with Listed wins at Ballarat and Eagle Farm thanks to Captain... Read More