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Anticipation is building for The NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie this coming Saturday, with the field now complete following Slot Holder Kerri Spence Bloodstock and Clotworthy Racing’s selection of To Bravery Born (NZ) (Snitzel) as their representative in the $4 million feature. He brings leading New Zealand stable Te Akau Racing’s representation in the race to four horses, with He Who Dares (NZ) (Snitzel) competing in their own slot, while in form filly Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savebeel) will carry the hopes of Slot Holder The King’s Men, and La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) will have plenty barracking for her as ‘The People’s Horse’. Bred by Greg Tomlinson, under his Nearco Stud banner, To Bravery Born is out of Milunka, a half-sister to Group One winner Kahma Lass (NZ) (Darci Brahma), Group One performer Kuro (NZ) (Denman), and exciting up-and-coming filly Drops Of God (NZ) (Hello Youmzain). He was offered through Curraghmore’s 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 National Yearling Sale draft, where he was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis (CNZM) for $200,000. He made an instant impact on the track for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, winning his first two races as a juvenile before running fourth in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and third in the Group Three Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m). He began his three-year-old season with a bang when winning by 3-1/4 lengths at Taupo and he backed that up with victory over 1200m at Te Rapa on Waikato Cup Day, beating a handy three-year-old field, including his Group One-winning stablemate and NZB Kiwi contender La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth). He subsequently finished eighth in the Group Two Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on TAB Karaka Millions night before running seventh in the Group Three Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) last month, a key form race for the NZB Kiwi, with six runners in the race. It’s been a frustrating road for Kerri Spence Bloodstock and Clotworthy Racing, with the group missing out on several runners, including Australian raider Asakura (Churchill), but they are delighted to have secured To Bravery Born, who they believe is looking to step up over more ground. “It is a bit of a relief to get a nice horse like that,” Slot Holder representative Shaun Clotworthy said. “We were really targeting Asakura, and we thought we had secured him, but they went with Ozzie Kheir.  “That put us on the back foot a touch, but luckily this horse has become available, and I thought his run in the Uncle Remus was good. “The stable thought he was more of a 1200 to 1400m horse but he is looking like he wants to stretch out to 1500m now. I think Ben Thompson (jockey) got off him and said he is just looking for a little bit of extra ground.  “He is a good horse, he has been to Ellerslie a couple of times and he is from the right stable.  “He has come at the right time for us and the right time for them, so we have managed to broker a deal.” The Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race will take place at Ellerslie on Champions Day, a meeting that holds fond memories for Clotworthy and co-trainer Emma Clotworthy, who trained Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino) to win last year’s Group 1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m). “It was a great day last year, winning the Derby was great,” Clotworthy said. “We will have a couple of runners from our stable as well (this year) and we will enjoy a good day with The NZB Kiwi.”  View the full $4 million 2026 NZB Kiwi Field here. View the full article

After Stormy Grove’s shock win and solid but unspectacular runs from leading contenders in Sunday’s Classic Cup (1,800m), the picture around the city’s most prized race – the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) – is very unclear. Still a Hong Kong maiden two starts before Sunday and not among Derby entries at that time, Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s Stormy Grove has suddenly catapulted into contention for the HK$26 million feature after a pair of brilliant victories. The Australian import’s upset success at...View the full article

That's method isn't a direct comparison.  You can only compare January 26 with January 25.  In that comparison NZ Racing turnover is up $10m.  We don't have a comparison of the overseas component. If Sports is up 53% (not sure if it is 5.3%) then it is a very good result all round.  

The Nov/Dec figs are 2 months, so halve then do a direct comparison with Jan figs

Sorry I don't get your calculations.  

Towering Vision the mystery horse.  Looked well suited to running out the 2400m when second in the Waikato Guineas, then ran last in the Avondale Guineas, the tempo of the race being blamed. This happened in last year's Avondale Guineas when fave Willydoit got done by the slow early tempo, then came out and easily won the Derby.........and hasn't won a race since

If you pro rata compare with Nov/Dec figs Thoroughbred NZ is up about 7 mil Total racing NZ and Overseas is down about 17 mil Sport is unchanged  

16 NOMS (so far) highest rating 78,  Not a strong field? 2 colts, 12 geldings, 2 fillies Road To Paris was given to me as a long term tip, needs to find some better racing manners at the end of the race!  Should be staying the extra distance and  I can see it winning

Finally up, but To Bravery Born not amongst the nominations for the race??