Saturday’s two $50,000 open handicaps at Riccarton were won by a pair of former Matamata horses who seem to be loving their new lives in the South Island.
Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are mapping out a path towards November’s Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) with Court Of Appeal following her victory in the Betavet Rating 75 (1600m) at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday.
An Australian winter spell has agreed with Group One winner Pier, who is set to kick-off his spring preparation in the Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
There’s a burgeoning rivalry brewing between Te Akau Racing fillies Belle Du Monde and Cool Aza Rene, and that will continue at Riccarton Park on Saturday in the Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m).
The New Zealand racing industry is showing their support for the NZ Horse Ambulance Trust by putting up six experiences or items for auction in the Trust's fundraiser on gavelhouse.com.
New Zealand sprinter Alabama Lass will press on for a tilt at the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley later this month following her runner-up effort in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at the Melbourne track last Saturday.
