For the first three days of the just concluded Flemington spring carnival there were a few New Zealand highlights. Melbourne Cup day was solid with three stakes winners, two by Savabeel (Zabeel) and one by War Decree (War Front). However, saving the best ’til last, day four, Champions Day, was on another level. New Zealand... Read More

A slow getaway did the damage for Legarto (Proisir) and her connections’ bold mission in Saturday’s rich Golden Eagle (1500m). That is her pattern but at Rosehill you don’t want to be four and five back on the fence before the straight. Legarto’s bad luck was the winner’s good luck. Japan’s Obamburumai (Discreet Cat) was... Read More

It took New Zealander, world champion jockey James McDonald to deny New Zealand-bred Mr Brightside (Bullbars) in a classic renewal of the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m). Live, it looked like Mr Brightside had prevailed. Even experienced Melbourne commentator, Matt Hill, gave his initial call to the six-year-old Kiwi gelding but the photo proved otherwise.... Read More

The pot is simmering now but it may be boiling very soon. Proisir (Choisir) enjoyed an outstanding New Zealand 2022-23 season, siring five individual Group 1 winners. Four of the five claimed their victories before the 2023 NZB Karaka Yearling Sales series. The fifth, Prowess, became an elite winner after the sales although she also... Read More

Although ambitious, the plan for Ladies Man (Zed) – convincing winner of the Livamol Classic (Gr 1, 2040m) at Hastings on Saturday – to head to the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m), has plenty of merit. The bookmakers might not agree but the six-year-old’s path has been plotted expertly by Allan Sharrock, a master at... Read More