Te Akau Racing, Blake Shinn and fantastic filly Damask Rose (NZ) created a piece of New Zealand racing history when they took out the inaugural running of the richest race in the land, the newly minted $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m).
Stephen Marsh’s in-form stable will have an array of stakes contenders in action at Matamata this weekend and for one of his younger rising stars it’s all about timing.
Wexford Stables are in an enviable position as far as quality three-year-olds go, with an abundance of gilt-edged prospects in contention for summer age group features.
Checkmate’s reign as the New Zealand Derby favourite is set to be shortlived. But that should ensure that Saturday’s dominant Ellerslie winner is one of the next horses invited to the $3.5m NZB Kiwi on the same day as the Derby.
Emerging filly Aeliana has a Group One assignment in her sights after kicking off the Melbourne Cup Carnival with a dominant performance in the A$500,000 Gr.3 Channel 9 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
The road to Riccarton Park has not been an easy one for Savaglee, but the colt indicated he is right on track with a stunning performance in Wednesday’s transferred Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Aroha.
