Canterbury gelding Matscot is once again set to fly the southern flag in the North Island next month when he crosses the Cook Strait to contest the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa.

Group One performer Hi Yo Sass Bomb showcased that she’s on target for an exciting spring campaign when winning her 1000m heat at the Foxton trials on Tuesday.

Emily Farr was a tired but happy rider at Woodville on Sunday after she recorded her 100th win in the saddle in New Zealand.

The Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) has often been the one that got away for Shaune Ritchie, but Tajana’s superb first-up performance at Ruakaka on Saturday has the Cambridge trainer dreaming of a breakthrough in the Riccarton classic.

Reigning premiership winners Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson will watch Ruakaka closely on Saturday despite sending only one runner to the Northland course.

Stephen Marsh’s stable promises to be a major player when the feature spring age-group races roll around, with a host of talented three-year-olds to take serious steps toward those targets at the weekend.

Luminance has proven herself up to black-type level on a heavy surface and trainer Kurtis Pertab is looking to put that ability to the test on a better track when she contests Saturday’s Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka.

The well-related Life Of Riley is forward enough for a bold bid at a deserved victory when she returns to action at Rotorua.

Lightly-raced six-year-old mare Jennivamoose scored a comfortable victory in the Donnellans The Tyremen Handicap (2500m) at The Valley on Saturday under a patient Harry Coffey ride.

Gemma Flitz has been a model of consistency on Riccarton’s synthetic track and she capped off that form when it counted, claiming the major spoils in Wednesday’s $100,000 Polytrack Championship (1200m).

Freegoing five-year-old Leroy Brown will be chasing a crack at a weight-for-age feature when he resumes at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.

A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.

Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.