Shaun and Emma Clotworthy will plot a path towards the $1.25 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) with their promising three-year-old Interplanetary, who put his staying prowess on display at Te Aroha on Sunday.

A crack at a major summer sprinting prize against the older horses hasn’t been ruled out for quality three-year-old Poetic Champion.

Moira and Kieran Murdoch will head to Arawa Park on Wednesday with a quartet of runners including Divine Essence, who will aim for back-to-back successes at the venue in the Waitomo Fuels (1950m).

The race now known as the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) is becoming a reliable springboard to bigger and better things for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and that trend looks likely to continue after a smart win by Checkmate at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Midnight Blue has proven to be an astute purchase by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, and the eight-year-old gelding is looking to continue to prove his worth in New Zealand.

Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray collected their second Group Three success in a matter of days at Otaki on Thursday, with Tuxedo stamping himself as an early Derby prospect when winning the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes (1600m).

Explosive filly Hankee Alpha made a big statement at Te Aroha on Wednesday, with a phenomenal performance putting her firmly in the conversation for the major three-year-old races this season.

Progressive mare Mi Bella will have to overcome an unfavourable barrier draw if she is to repeat the efforts of her stablemate Lovearoadie at Te Aroha on Wednesday.

Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.

Last week will live long in the memory of northern race caller George Simon.

Riccarton racegoers could be in for a treat on Saturday when they get to witness one of the burgeoning rivalries in New Zealand racing come to a head.

Wexford Stables have unveiled a number of promising three-year-olds over the past fortnight, and the latest to shed her maiden status was Smart Love, who won the Fresh Choice Leamington 3YO (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Tony Pike’s runners haven’t missed a beat in their bid to successfully execute a black-type double for the stable at Riccarton on Wednesday.

Orchestral had her name up in lights during the autumn in Sydney, and on Saturday she will step out on the big stage at Flemington as a key hope in the A$1 million Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).