Immediately prior to the 2023 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale The Oaks Stud’s Rick Williams was thrown a curveball. Instead of looking at buying a nicely bred filly, owner Dick Karreman caught Williams a little off-guard: “What about a Savabeel colt, a future sire prospect?” If the purchase was to happen, Williams was keener on a... Read More

No stakes racing in New Zealand on Saturday meant that all the attention was focussed on Australia and in particular, Flemington, for Coolmore/Derby Day, and Rosehill for Golden Eagle Day. The Coolmore Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner hails from a US family while a British bred horse took out the Golden Eagle (1500m) so pickings... Read More

In one bold move, Belclare (Per Incanto) more than doubled her career earnings when she took out The Invitation (1400m), one of the races that has been granted Group 2 status by the NSW authorities but is yet to be ratified by the Asian Racing Conference. Nonetheless, the $1 million winner’s share bumps Per Incanto... Read More

For the third Saturday in succession the late Tavistock (Montjeu) sired a Group 1 feature winner. The sequence, which began with the Epsom Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m) won by Ceolwulf, was continued with the Livamol Classic (Gr 1, 2040m) won by Snazzytavi then completed with Ceolwulf’s devastating run to deny the warm fan favourite Pride... Read More

As of 7:45pm NZDT, the lead piece for this week’s edition appeared to lean heavily towards the clear-cut win by Snazzytavi (Tavistock) in the Livamol Classic (Gr 1, 2040m). After 800 metres of the Toorak Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m) there was no reason to change course but in the space of 220 metres and an... Read More