Another premiership highlight for locals

Leading trainers Andrew Forsman and Murray Baker pictured with Lions’ great Gavin Hastings at the Cambridge track during the Lions tour.

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman training juggernaut steamrolled its way to a second National Trainers’ Premiership off the back of an outstanding season of feature race success.

Following their inaugural title in . . . → Read More: Another premiership highlight for locals

Monarch Chimes passes test

Monarch Chimes (Shaun Phelan) on his way to an impressive win at Rotorua yesterday.

A new kid on the jumping block has given a number of his more experienced and better-performed rivals plenty to think about.

In just his second appearance over fences, Monarch Chimes made his mark in open company at Rotorua yesterday . . . → Read More: Monarch Chimes passes test

Marzuki strikes again for top trainers

Crafty Jess (Hairi Marzuki) getting the better of Shellez Ace (inner) at Rotorua yesterday.

Hairi Marzuki can expect further opportunities from the premiership-winning stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman after another tidy performance for them at Rotorua yesterday.

The 30-year-old guided Crafty Jess to victory in the Keano @ Sentry Hill Farm for . . . → Read More: Marzuki strikes again for top trainers

Change of envoirnment a winning move

Gentil Tonton (Sam Weatherley) producing a quick return for his new owner and John Bell in today’s Taumarunui Gold Cup.

A change of environment has worked wonders for the widely-travelled stayer Gentil Tonton.

The Irish-bred son of Yeats was making just his second start for Cambridge trainer John Bell, who now also owns the . . . → Read More: Change of envoirnment a winning move

Jochen Rindt ready for Cup defence

Jochen Rindt (Trudy Thornton) producing a successful dress rehearsal for tomorrow’s Taumarunui Cup with a solid Te Rapa win.

Terry Wenn is approaching Jochen Rindt’s Listed Woods Contracting Taumarunui Gold Cup title defence at Rotorua tomorrow with renewed confidence.

The Cambridge trainer admitted feeling rather despondent after the seven-year-old gelding produced a substandard run . . . → Read More: Jochen Rindt ready for Cup defence

Successful sister act

Imblaze (Viktoria Gatu) proving too good for her rivals at Matamata yesterday.

Janenne Daley wasn’t about to let her sister get away with all the glory this week.

Daley’s sister, Tarissa Mitchell, prepared Wagner for a maiden win at Te Aroha last Monday and two days later Daley came up with her own winner . . . → Read More: Successful sister act

Socially Excited gains deserved win

Socially Excited (Matt Cameron) capping off placings with a well-deserved win at Matamata yesterday.

Socially Excited was rewarded for consistency at Matamata yesterday, but it didn’t come easily.

The two-year-old son of Falkirk started a deserved favourite in the Matamata Hire 1200 on the strength of placings in each of his three previous starts . . . → Read More: Socially Excited gains deserved win

Track Work 27 July 2017

Woods Contracting Taumarunui Gold Cup candidate, NAILED IT, enhanced her Cup prospects with an excellent final workout at Cambridge this morning.

Galloping on a slow number two grass with the markers out 8 meters, NAILED IT was sent 1400 with stablemate ARZAK, who also races at Rotorua this weekend, were timed in 1:33.8, the 1000 . . . → Read More: Track Work 27 July 2017

Bonniegirl retired after setback

Bonniegirl (Matt Cameron) breaking through for stakes success at Hastings.

Injury has fast-tracked the stud career of the black-type winner Bonniegirl.

The Darci Brahma mare won five of her 16 starts from the stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, including the Listed NZB Finance Sprint at Hastings in what has turned out to . . . → Read More: Bonniegirl retired after setback

Manhattan Flame defying the odds

Manhattan Flame (Hayden Tinsley) extending his unbeaten record to three at New Plymouth last weekend when beating No Loitering (No.5).

Promising Cambridge galloper Manhattan Flame continues to beat the odds.

The three-year-old has made a red hot start to his career despite having physical issues that at one stage had his trainer Shane Crawford . . . → Read More: Manhattan Flame defying the odds