Kiwi Chronicles
Obvious
Those interested in pedigrees and bloodlines had only to look at the catalogue page of La Dorada (Super Seth) to find the winner of this year’s Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m). It was obvious, although, to be fair, her last-start win in the Karaka Million 2YO (Listed, 1200m) was also a major factor. La... Read More
More from Kiwi Chronicles
Overlooked
New Year began with a bang for Rich Hill Stud when four of their stallions sired five stakes winners within the first 11 days. A treble on New Year’s Day featured Satono Aladdin (Deep Impact) siring Too Sweet in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m). Vadamos (Monsun) sired Real Class and Island Life to run... Read More
On the cusp
A whirlwind two weeks has passed since the last edition of Kiwi Chronicles and it is pleasing to report that the New Zealand bloodstock industry appears to be on the cusp of bigger and better things. Central to the industry’s future is prize–money which in New Zealand is unlikely to rival that of Australia’s in... Read More
Going the distance
In the space of nine weeks, two closely related performers have taken out the first two 3200–metre cup races for the current New Zealand season, the New Zealand Cup (Gr 3, 3200m) and the Wellington Cup (Gr 3, 3200m). In November it was New Zealand Cup victress Mehzebeen (Almanzor). She showed staying form at three... Read More
Blanket finish
At the 200–metre mark of Saturday’s Thorndon Mile (Gr 1, 1600m), a blanket covered the first five runners. The winner, Provence (Savabeel), was fifth but had not made her final move, a sprint that saw her level up to Qali Al Farrashah (Almanzor) at the 100 metres. These two fought out the finish, the lead... Read More
Fresh is best
A new sprint star has arrived on the New Zealand scene and her name is Grail Seeker (Iffraaj). Saturday’s rich weight-for-age Telegraph Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) proved a cake walk for the four-year-old mare and wherever she lines up over the next few weeks she will be the one they will all have to beat.... Read More