News - REDWOOD (GB)
Well-travelled eight-year-old St Lawrence has turned back the clock this spring and returned to top form, including his very first black-type success in Saturday’s A$150,000 Listed Carlton Draught Murray Bridge Gold Cup (1600m).
Australian syndicator Darby Racing has enjoyed another major return from its New Zealand buying strategy, with Thebudgiesmugla continuing his rapid rise through the staying ranks.
Emerging stayer Thebudgiesmugla is fast becoming a fan favourite, with the Kiwi import coming from well back to land the A$500,000 Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) in dominant fashion his big team of Darby Racing owners as a well-supported $2.35 favourite.
Emerging stayer Thebudgiesmugla has never been beaten over 2400m, and he added a fourth win to that unblemished record when he stepped up to stakes level in Saturday’s A$200,000 Listed Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Rosehill.
Tony and Maddysen Sears are counting down the days to the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) after a highly impressive audition at the Gold Coast on Saturday by their New Zealand-bred filly Nightline.
Multiple Group One winner and dual Queensland Horse of the Year Antino has been retired from racing after his fourth placing in the Brisbane Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Gold Coast trainers Tony and Maddy Sears will be hoping talented filly Nightline can provide them with back-to-back winners of the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Former Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart returned to the scene of that 2023 triumph to take out the Gr.3 SKYCITY Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m) in a thrilling three-way finish to the Te Rapa staying feature.
New stakes winners for resident stallions Redwood and Tarzino were celebrated by Westbury Stud at the weekend.
A homebred for Gerry Harvey, whose grand-dam Jezabeel won a Melbourne Cup, three year-old filly Pulsatilla is a new stakes-winner for Westbury Stud sire Redwood (GB) with the promise of more to come.
What do you name a horse from a mare called Hot Pants - Progressive stayer Thebudgiesmugla showed his versatility when winning his second race at Rosehill in the space of a couple of weeks for trainer Bjorn Baker.
Former race caller Jason Teaz has formed a successful career as a harness racing trainer, but it was in the thoroughbred code where he was able to fulfil a lifelong ambition at Matamata on Sunday.
Who Knows has announced herself as a serious staying mare through the winter, and Niall Quinn has a range of options to consider for her after she returns from a well-deserved break.
Trainer Tony Gollan has earmarked the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) as the long-range target for star galloper Antino after a stunning victory in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on Saturday in track record time.
Saturday’s Harrison’s Carpet Hard Flooring 3YO (1600m) at Trentham brought the curtain down on Coulthard’s three-year-old season and hinted at an even brighter future as a four and five-year-old.
Jockey Blake Shinn produced another masterful ride on Antino as the dashing son of Redwood assumed command of the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) rounding the home bend and careered away for a three-and-a-half length victory over Fawkner Park and Kovalica.
An impressive come-from-behind win in the New World Otaki Handicap (1600m) on Boxing Day was the first New Zealand appearance in almost five years for Sword In Stone, a multiple Group One placegetter in Hong Kong who clearly has plenty more to offer back in his homeland.
Former New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart is set to head to Trentham on Saturday to kick-off his summer campaign and ready for a Group One assignment at the Upper Hutt track next month.
New Zealand has a strong association with the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), and Kiwi-bred gelding Antino will be out to continue that record at Sha Tin on Sunday.
New Zealand-bred four-year-old Ruakaka Raider landed a last-stride victory when successful in the Vale Colin McKenna (1700m) at Caulfield on Saturday for trainer Cindy Alderson.