A barnstorming finish has delivered Te Akau Racing with a stunning late Christmas present as underrated galloper What You Wish For came from last on the home bend to take out the Harcourts Taupo Cup (2000m) in front of a bumper holiday crowd.

Latrelle and Old Bill Bone may not be ideally suited by the conditions of the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Trentham, but there’s belief they can rise to the occasion.

Group Two-winning stayer Trav’s Melbourne Cup preparation may not have gone to plan, but trainer Raymond Connors has swiftly turned his attention to another Cup target.

Young talent Lara Antipova will be heavily in credit with Craig Grylls if she can carry him to victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham.

Patience, a diminishing commodity in the modern environment, remains a key marker for Raumati couple Christopher and Susanna Grace, two of New Zealand racing’s longest serving and most successful participants.