Stephen Marsh has nine three-year-olds still nominated for either the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) or Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month, and six of them will contest Group races during the Labour Day long weekend.

The Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) was not an easy watch for the connections of Captured By Love, and co-trainer Sam Bergerson is hoping some redemption can be served in Monday’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa.

Ellerslie’s Saturday meeting will mark the start of a career for one exciting Tony Pike-trained galloper in Storm Front, while another, Not Guilty, will commence her final campaign on the racetrack.

Group Three performer Waihaha Falls has returned to the care of co-breeder and part-owner Guy Lowry and is set to make his New Zealand debut for the Hawke’s Bay trainer at Trentham on Sunday.

Sandy Cunningham has eyes on a major upcoming domestic prize rather than another trip to Victoria with her proven stayer Noble Knight.

The Gr.3 TAB Counties Cup (2100m) and Gr.3 Skycity Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m) are looming large on the horizon for The Odyssey after a dominant win in the Elsdon Park (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

A determined victory in Saturday’s New World Otaki Handicap (1600m) took under-rated mare Sumi past $200,000 in prize-money.

The departure of 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz has done little to slow Te Akau Racing’s progress in Australia, and trainer Mark Walker hopes the stable’s strong spring momentum will continue at Caulfield on Saturday.

Taranaki horseman Aidan Schumacher has put his faith in the family of his foundation broodmare Mini Manday over the last few decades, and his loyalty paid off in a big way on Saturday when Spencer took out the Gr.3 Valley D’Vine Restaurant Spring Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.

Ashburton couple Sarah and Chris Green and business partner Ger Beemsterboer have experienced plenty of highs in racing under their Barneswood Farm banner, but this weekend could prove to be the pinnacle in their racing endeavours.

A special week got even better on Saturday for trainer Robbie Patterson and owner-breeders Eddie and Nicola Bourke and Allan Piercy.

Town Cryer kicked off a career-best season with an upset victory in last year’s Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), and she will return among the favourites to go back-to-back on Saturday at Hawera.

Capable mare Royal Flower has a tidy first-up record and she is again forward in condition to open a new campaign at Hawera this weekend.

Nine-year-old warhorse Times Ticking upstaged his younger rivals with a brilliant first-up performance in Saturday’s Marshall Batteries Open Handicap (1400m) at Riccarton.