With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.

The Jukebox Man could be in for a big season ahead over fences as he geared up for his pending chasing debut with a racecourse gallop at Newbury yesterday.

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

Chad Ormsby has had a phenomenal 12 months with horses he has retained from New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sales, but this week at Karaka he is hoping to go home with an empty truck.

Kopua attended to unfinished business in style on the middle day of the New Zealand Cup carnival at Riccarton when he produced an irresistible finish to claim top honours in the main event on the card.

Patiently handled mare Acquarello has the looks to match her rich pedigree and she’s now added winning black-type form to her record to boost her future broodmare value.

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.

Tally-Ho Stud have announced that Group 1 winning sprinter Big Evs will join their stallion roster for 2026, following his run in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar.

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.

Tony Pike will have his two talented fillies, Raziah and Archaic Smile, chasing age-group crowns within 10 minutes of each other this Saturday at Riccarton Park and Ellerslie.

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.

Marton horseman Fraser Auret has a number of Group One victories to his name as a trainer, but in the coming months he is hoping to add a maiden Group One breeding success to his record through the deeds of Hong Kong sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising.

The New Zealand racing fraternity is in mourning following the passing of leading Central Districts jockey Johnathan Parkes over the weekend.

Lightly raced six-year-old Marotiri Molly made it back-to back victories as she ran her rivals off their feet to capture the AR Painters Handicap (1400m) at Otaki on Saturday.