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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Runners from the Central Districts of the North Island dominated proceedings in Saturday’s 128th running of the Group 3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) as veteran galloper Chase (NZ) (Zed) produced a resolute finish on the inner to claim victory ahead of lightweight Who Knows (NZ) (Redwood), 2024 runner-up Bradman (NZ) (Pins) and Our Jumala (NZ) (Zed). The nine-year-old son of Zed brought winning form to his hit and run raid on the Cup after scoring over the same distance at his last start at Hawera. Despite the presence of leading South Island rider Tina Comignaghi in the saddle he was still allowed to start at the generous quote of $16 on the Fixed Odds market in an even line-up. Having her second ride on Chase after finishing third in the 2022 Gr.1 Captain Cook Sakes (1600m) at Trentham, Comignaghi soon had him settled beautifully in midfield from barrier five as Bradman set a strong pace in front. Bradman looked to have his rivals in trouble when he cornered two lengths in front but began to wander to the middle of the track as Our Jumala and Who Knows challenged him on his outer, whilst Chase dived at him along the inner. Chase forged to the lead with 50m to go to provide trainer Stephen Nickalls, his partner Laura and her father, former All Black Gary Knight, with the upset victory. The first black-type event of the new racing season has often produced a fairytale finish and none more so than in 2025 as ten-year-old Mya Nickalls led her family’s pride and joy back to the winner’s enclosure much to the delight of her emotional father. “I’m in tears as this is amazing,” Nickalls said. “My little daughter is here and this just doesn’t get any better. Honestly it is just phenomenal seeing her lead him in, it is so amazing. “This horse is the gift from God. We came down on Wednesday and went out to the beach then Mya got to hop on and ride him back from the beach, so it was incredible and I’m lost for words.” Nickalls also quickly paid tribute to his extended family as his partner and her parents were back at their dairy farm handling all the myriad of tasks during the busy calving season. “We are a tight family unit with Laura, Gary and Emma at home doing all the hard work so I can bring Mya and the horse down here. “I said to her school principal that you won’t get a better life experience than coming to Riccarton. “We love this track and would race here every week if we could.” When questioned over backing the horse up on the final day of the Carnival next Saturday, Nickalls was non-committal as he, Mya and Chase have a booking on the Interisland ferry to take them all back home to Rangiotu on Sunday. Comignaghi also expressed her pride and delight in taking out the early season feature. “This is super exciting as I have always wanted to win this race,” she said. “It’s great for Stephen and his family as they do a super job and it is nice to see them so happy. “I knew the horse having ridden him before so I knew he would finish on well. “We just pushed through the whole race and he eventually started to come home strongly. When the leader began to hang out he just surged through.” Chase was a $9000 purchase for Laura Knight from the Grangewilliam Stud 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale and has now repaid her faith to the tune of more than $413,000 in prizemoney from his eight wins and 21 placings from 58 starts. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Dubbo-trained Elson Boy (NZ) (El Roca) was back in the winner’s circle after a 412-day absence when leading throughout to land the Jockeys Celebration Day Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill in the hands of apprentice William Stanley. Prepared by Dar Lunn, the six-year-old son of El Roca relished the testing conditions and pushed forward under Stanley. Challenged mid-stretch by well-supported favourite Captain Furai (Toronado), Elson Boy showed the benefit of recent racing as he repelled the threat of the fresh-up rival to score comfortably. A drenched Lunn had the biggest smile on course and will now plot a path to the A$2 million The Kosciuszko (1200m) on October 18, a race the gelding finished ninth in last year. “He was up there on the outside and was probably three and four deep until he crossed at the top of the corner. When he got across he travelled and I thought ‘he will be hard to beat from here’ because of the conditions,” Lunn said. With ten career wins from 31 starts, Elson Boy has amassed A$501,675 in prizemoney for his connections. Prior to his run of outs, Elson Boy had won six races in succession where Lunn said he enjoyed a dog-fight. “That’s what he did when he won his six straight,” Lunn said. “He is the type of horse that is in for the fight and he is a better horse deep into his preparation. “He also loves a Heavy track. “I did wonder after his first couple of starts this prep whether he would come back, but he’s going to be right from here.” Bred by Mark and Lorraine Forbes of Kiltannon Stables, Elson Boy is by Westbury Stud stallion El Roca and is out of the Pour Moi mare Caramia. Elson Boy was sold in Book 2 of the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales, where he was bought for $20,000. Elson Boy never had a start for now Hong Kong based Mark Newnham and was subsequently sold online for $6000, where he was purchased by racing enthusiast Guy Mitchell, who races him in partnership with Rob Pratten, who has an automotive mechanical business in Dubbo. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Aidan O’Brien is hunting down his third Group One Prix Rothschild (1,600m) at Deauville on Sunday and looks to hold the aces with his progressive three-year-old January. The top trainer is a force wherever he sends runners in Europe and January, who has been threatening to break her Group One duck, will be ridden by French ace Christophe Soumillon. She has shown improved form this season, building on a modest reappearance by finishing second in the Group One Coronation Stakes (1,600m) at Royal...View the full article -
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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
King Of Roseau ridden by Michael Dee wins the Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington. (Photo: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) King Of Roseau has announced himself as a future Flemington regular after a commanding 1.5-length victory in Saturday’s Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m). Trainer Peter Snowden believes the gelding’s growing affinity for the famous straight six will shape his spring program, calling the performance “a dominant win that proves he enjoys the place.” The four-year-old son of Written Tycoon had already hinted at his Flemington prowess when third to Growing Empire and First Settler in last September’s Poseidon Stakes. A return to a Good surface and the decision to geld him over summer have unlocked a new level of determination according to Snowden. “He’s always had talent, but since we cut him he’s found his grit and kept stepping up through the grades,” the trainer said. Michael Dee, fresh from a two-month stint in Japan and a European holiday, guided King Of Roseau to his fourth career win and third at Group level. Settled near the tail, Dee angled the $3.40 chance with horse racing bookmakers toward the outside rail at the 300m and unleashed a sharp sprint that quickly put the race to bed. “The feel he gave me suggests there are bigger targets ahead,” the 15-time Group 1 rider said after completing a dream double that started with Bold Soul earlier in the day. Splash Back, the $2.60 favourite, trailed King Of Roseau throughout but failed to match the winner’s burst, finishing fifth. Outsider Bandi’s Boy ($31) ran on for second, a length clear of Marble Nine ($5.50). Snowden is already eyeing Flemington’s straight-track lead-ups to the Group 1 Champions Sprint in November, with the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) and Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) logical next steps. “Not every horse takes to the straight, but this bloke clearly does, so we’ll be back,” he said. The Aurie’s Star has a habit of launching spring campaigns. Right To Party parlayed last year’s win into Gilgai success, while The Astrologist (2021) went on to multiple Group 1 placings at home and abroad. King Of Roseau now has the chance to join that honour roll – and, if Saturday is any guide, Flemington hasn’t seen the last of him. 2025 Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap Replay – King Of Roseau https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Flemington-2025-Group-3-Auries-Star-Handicap-02082025-King-Of-Roseau-Peter-Snowden-Michael-Dee.mp4 Horse racing news View the full article
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