The Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) got the contest and finish it deserved as 2025 winner Waitak defended his crown in a thrilling three-way finish to the Hastings feature.
There has been plenty of hype surrounding Coniston, and the three-year-old son of Wootton Bassett delivered on his promise when winning the Waharoa Transport Co. (1995) Ltd 1400 at Matamata on Wednesday.
Group One performer Lollapalooza will be looking to get her campaign back on track when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Trackside.co.nz 1600.
An inch-perfect ride from Sam Collett enabled Matamata raider Justin Case to claim the feature event at Hastings on Saturday, the Listed Timberspan Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m).
Promising filly Sweetest Thing displayed all her fighting qualities when she held out a determined challenge from Platinum La Danse and stablemate Sword of Stars to win the Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton on Saturday.
