Top Prospect, Selfie, Biggin Hill and Cartell will head for the sun at Ruakaka on Saturday. A dead 4 track and fine weather forecast should suit all our runners.  Biggin Hill & Cartell will be race rivals in the open 1200m. With Alysha opting to ride Consensus, Biggin Hill will be ridden by Kelly McCulloch, he has drawn nicely at barrier 3 and there is no reason why he shouldn’t continue his good run of form at Ruakaka. Cartell has drawn barrier 1, has Matt Cameron on board and will appreciate the better going after his last start failure at Riccarton on a heavy track.

Selfie will resume in the R65 1200m, with top weight of 64kgs he will be ridden by 3kg claimer Amber Sims. It has been nearly eight months since his last start in the Karaka Mile however he has done the ground work. He has a trial under his belt going into the race and his fresh up record is good. He will race without blinkers and with a tongue tie added.
Top Prospect steps up to 1400m on Saturday, he should appreciate the step up in distance. Alysha retains the ride and he has had a gear change from ear covers to blinkers & a tongue tie.

Cinematic, Florence Hill, Japhite, Irish Missile, Rip Van Winkle – Lady Pay & Swissta all had sprint ups during the week. Fast Learner has been stepped up in his work over the past week, he is toning up nicely. The rest of the team have had a steady week pace working.

In Australia
Untamed Diamond  had no favours at Canterbury on Wednesday, drawing 7 of 7 runners on a slow testing track, she got caught three wide for the entire 1100m journey and faded over the concluding stages as to be expected. She has pulled up well though and will look to start again on the 28th, hopefully on a better track.
Hot Mustard was to run at Hawkesbury on Saturday but was scratched due to a foot issue. He will now trial on Monday to keep up his fitness level before racing again. Our Ventura has had a quiet week and will race next over 1600m at Warwick Farm on the 21st

City Boy capped off a run of placings on heavy tracks with a well-deserved win at Ruakaka last Saturday. Back on a better track he jumped well for Alysha, led and won nicely by 2.5 lengths. He is owned and bred by Matt Goodson and Di Perron who have a number of very nice horses in the stable, including a 2yo half-brother to City Boy by Guillotine who is a lovely type.

Top Prospect raced much more tractably at his second start over 1200m however he was a little disappointing over the short distance and raced like he will need more ground. He will head to Te Rapa on the 14th September and step up to 1400m.
Irish Missile will benefit from her outing over 1000m at Ruakaka. Going into the race without a trial she was in need of the run and is sure to improve at her next start which could be over 1100m at Ellerslie on the 24th September.

Selfie had an easy trial at Avondale on Tuesday finishing 5th over 1000m on a heavy track. He settled back and got to the line nicely. He looks set to resume race day at Ruakaka on 10th September.
With a wet track on offer and the outside barrier at Hastings last week, Biggin Hill stayed home and will now head to Ruakaka to race over 1200m on the 10th September along with Cartell.

Trials at Avondale on the 20th look to be on the agenda for Cinematic, Japhite, Swissta & Rip Van Winkle –Lady Pay.
Fast Learner & Swiss Ace - Vibe had their first run along at ¾ speed this week while Son Taari, Moki, Lady Henrietta & Dark Secret have had an easy week of pace work.

Our 2yo fillies completed their first serious preparation with a jump out on the grass on Thursday, they have all come a long way this time in and developed into good types. They will go for a short break now and our 2yo colts by Guillotine & Azamour will come in from the paddock to resume training.

In Australia
Our Ventura ran a sound race for 5th over 1550m at Canterbury on Wednesday, ridden by Jason she jumped very quickly and raced a lot handier to the pace then she has previously. She finished off the race well although with nearly seven weeks between runs she is sure to improve from the race. She will start again at Warwick Farm on the 14th September over her favoured 1600m distance.

Hot Mustard will race at Hawkesbury over 2100m on Saturday, will rain forecast he looks certain to get track conditions to suit. He has drawn nicely at barrier 4 and with top weight of 61kgs will be ridden by 2kg claimer Nick Heywood.

Untamed Diamond has continued to do well since her last start win, she will head back to Canterbury on Wednesday 7th to race again over 1100m. Deanne Panya retains the ride.

Son Taari provided the first of a double for the stable on Wednesday when he won his maiden race over 1600m at Avondale. He appreciated the better track conditions, his previous starts this time in had been on very heavy testing ground. Alysha (who also had a double on the day) had him positioned just behind the leaders and then got a nice run up the rail to go through and win by a length.
Son Taari (Perfectly Ready – Cataari) was bred and is owned by Terry Shaw, Henry Wilcox, Warren Gatland and Mrs Lorraine Craig. They also own his 2 year old half-brother by Azamour, a lovely colt who has impressed up since his arrival in our stable.

Selfie & Irish Missile enjoyed a gallop on the course proper on Tuesday, both horses working well to the line. Irish Missile will gallop again on Tuesday before resuming at Ruakaka on Saturday 27th over 1000m. Selfie looks well forward and could trial at Avondale on the 30th if track conditions suit. Top Prospect also worked nicely on Tuesday and will accompany Irish Missile to race at Ruakaka on the 27th over 1200m.

Biggin Hill has had a steady week since his good 2nd at Ruakaka, he will head to Hawkes Bay on Saturday 27th for an R85 1200m. He will get a decent weight so we will look at taking a claim with him.
City Boy & Cartell have taken a bit of time to recover from their trip to Christchurch, they could both race next at Ruakaka on 10th September.

Japhite, Cinematic, Florence Hill, Moki, Swissta & Rip Van Winkle – Lady Pay have all worked along at speed this week, they are all not far off a trial and/or races in September once the tracks improve.
Fast Learner, Dark Secret & Swiss Ace –Vibe have had a steady week of pace work.

In Australia
Untamed Diamond brought up our double with a strong win over 1100m at Canterbury on Wednesday. She was ridden positively from the barrier by Deanne Panya and never looked like being beaten winning by a comfortable 2.8 lengths. She has come through the race very well and could head back to Canterbury again in three weeks’ time.

Our Ventura & Hot Mustard galloped well on Tuesday and had an 800m jump out this morning. Both will line up at the provincials in the next fortnight.

The decision to start Biggin Hill from the outside barrier in what looked a very strong field last Saturday at Ruakaka proved to be a profitable one with an excellent run for 2nd, finishing ahead of some big names in doing so. His race day fitness was a definite advantage and he was again ridden well by Alysha. He has come through the race very well and could head next to Hawkes Bay on the 27th August.

Top Prospect ran a nice 4th on his debut. He raced midfield for most of the race and made up steady ground although showed his inexperience by racing greenly in the straight. He will be improved from the outing and will race again at Ruakaka in a fortnight.

The heavy 10 track at Riccarton didn’t help either of our runners last Saturday with City Boy finishing a distant 3rd and Cartell failing to raise a gallop in the very testing conditions.
City Boy has had no luck this season with awkward barrier draws and very heavy tracks, he tries very hard and will only improve once he gets track conditions to suit. He may race next at Ruakaka on the 27th and is certain to get a better track there. Cartell could either race at Hawkes Bay on the 27th or Ruakaka early in September.

Son Taari will start in the maiden 1600m at Avondale on Wednesday. He has drawn barrier 3 and will be ridden by Alysha. He goes into the race on the back of a good 2nd over 1400m last start, the extra distance should suit.

Selfie & Irish Missile looked good galloping over 800m this morning. Irish Missile looks on track to resume race day at Ruakaka on the 27th while Selfie could trial at Avondale on the 30th August providing we get reasonable track conditions. Japhite could also be forward enough to trial at Avondale, she has been working boldly on the training track and has strengthened up nicely this time in.

Our 2 year old fillies by Manhattan Rain, All American, Denman, Medaglia Doro and Hussonet enjoyed their first breeze up over 300m this morning.
Moki & Rip Van Winkle – Lady Pay gelding sprinted up over 400m while Cinematic, Florence Hill & Swissta worked along at ¾ speed.
With the heavy tracks and recent rain a lot of our team have been ticking over quietly while we wait for firmer tracks. We look forward to being able to use the course proper at Counties to gallop over the next fortnight prior to the next meeting on the 31st August.

In Australia
Untamed Diamond was scratched from Canterbury last Wednesday when the track came up heavy, she will line up at Canterbury this Wednesday over 1100m and Deanne Panya will ride the filly.
Our Ventura & Hot Mustard have freshened up nicely, working at ¾ speed during the week. Their next starts will be determined after a gallop on Tuesday.
 

  City Boy & Cartell flew south on Thursday for races at Riccarton on Saturday. Cartell will start in the open 1200m and City Boy in the R65 1200m. Both horses have drawn good barriers and will be ridden by Lisa Allpress. Judy accompanied the horses to Christchurch and reports they travelled down and have settled in well.
Top Prospect makes his debut in the 3yo 1000m at Ruakaka on Saturday. He has the benefit of barrier one and will be ridden by Alysha Collett. He ran 2nd at his only trial in June and has shown promise on the training track.
Having drawn the outside barrier in what looks a strong open 1200m race at Ruakaka, Biggin Hill may be saved for the R85 1200m at Riccarton on Wednesday.

Son Taari has taken no harm from his race last week and could head back to Avondale on the 17th over 1600m. Selfie has had another good week on the training track and is ticking over nicely to resume race day. Japhite, Florence Hill, Moki (Testa Rossa – Taunt Pauline) & Rip Van Winkle – Lady Pay have enjoyed stronger workouts this week.

Irish Missile worked along at speed on Tuesday and will again tomorrow, she looks on target to resume race day by the end of August.
Cinematic, Lady Henrietta, Fast Learner & Swissta have pace worked while Dark Secret & Swiss Ace – Vibe have worked along quietly again this week.

In Australia

Untamed Diamond had an 800m jump out last Friday and will gallop solo tomorrow in preparation for racing at Canterbury on Wednesday over 1100m. She will be ridden by Deanne Panya who was impressed with the filly in track work during the week.
Our Ventura & Hot Mustard have had an easy week, both could race again by mid August.
 

Cartell also ran a good race for 4th. Considering he raced very keenly in the early stages outside the leader, he tried hard and held on well only beaten 1.6 lengths. Both horses have come through the race in good order and could head south with stablemate City Boy to race at Riccarton over the next fortnight.

Son Taari was a late nomination in the maiden 1400m at Avondale today, he battled on well in the very heavy conditions to finish a good 2nd.

Top Prospect is due to gallop with Selfie tomorrow and if forward enough he may head to Ruakaka Saturday week to make his debut over 1000m instead of trialling. Irish Missile will also work along at ¾ speed tomorrow.

Rip Van Winkle – Lady Pay & Testa Rossa – Taunt Pauline geldings have had workouts at ¾ speed this week, both horses are coming to hand nicely at this stage of their preparations.  Cinematic has just ticked over a month back in work, she looks in good order.

Fast Learner, Japhite, Florence Hill, Lady Henrietta & Swissta have continued with pace work. Swiss Ace – Vibe has worked quietly his first week back while Dark Secret has re-joined the stable and resumed training.

Our team in Australia have worked along quietly in preparation for racing over the next fortnight.

The recent rain just hasn’t let up as you can see from the photos taken on our property today. This is the wettest winter we have seen for quite some time. Fingers crossed for some finer weather to dry things out.

Biggin Hill & Cartell will head north tomorrow to contest the R85 1200m at Ruakaka. The weather forecast doesn’t look promising but being an early race we are hopeful track conditions will hold. Cartell will be ridden by Amber Sims claiming 3kgs bringing him back to the rest of the field at 57.5kgs. He has drawn well to get a good run from barrier 2. Biggin Hill has also drawn nicely with barrier 5 and will be ridden by Alysha Collett. Both horses galloped well in preparation this week.

City Boy found the 1400m at Te Rapa last weekend a touch too far in the heavy conditions and will revert back to 1200m at his next start. He has come through the race well and will head next to Riccarton on August 6th.

Selfie was given an easy 600m gallop on Tuesday and coped nicely with the work. He will tick over until track conditions are on the improve. Top Prospect has continued to work well but will benefit from another trial prior to racing so will head to Te Teko early in August before making his race day debut.  Testa Rossa – Taunt Pauline gelding has completed six weeks back in the stable and is due to have his work stepped up over the next week, he is really thriving in his work at present.

The majority of the stable are in the early stages of their preparations and are ticking over quietly with conditioning work. Our yearlings have all worked along like professionals at the track, a big thumbs up to Jamie Beatson for his excellent job in breaking them in.  Swiss Ace- Vibe has resumed training after a six week break.

In Australia
With the races being called off due to bad weather on Wednesday Hot Mustard missed his planned race, the next suitable option for him is again at Warwick Farm over 2200m on 3rd August.

Our Ventura has come through her last race well and has worked quietly this week. Untamed Diamond had a hit out over 800m on Thursday and will have another faster workout on Saturday which will determine where she will head next.

Alysha had a memorable trip to Mongolia last week winning the inaugural NZ Bloodstock Cup over 1800m at the Korchin Racing Centre on Sunday. She rode Da Qian Shi Jie (Keeper – Pearla) for trainer Yu Jiankang. The race was a joint venture with NZ Bloodstock and Lang Lin of the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Club and was restricted to graduates of the NZ Bloodstock Karaka Sales.
It was a great experience for Alysha and a big thrill for us to see her win an international G1 race.
She will be back riding in NZ on Wednesday after taking a short break in Bali on the way home.

City Boy will be our sole runner this weekend starting in the R65 1400m at Te Rapa on Saturday. He has drawn barrier 11 and will be ridden by Amber Sims claiming 3kgs which is sure to be an advantage with the wet weather forecast and the track currently a slow 7.

Cartell will bypass Te Rapa this Saturday and will now head to Ruakaka next Saturday with Biggin Hill for the R85 1200m. Son Taari has freshened up nicely and may head back to the races in the next fortnight.
With a lack of trial opportunities available Top Prospect may head straight to the races and debut early in August. Irish Missile is due to have her first faster work out this Saturday, she is coming to hand very well and could be ready to race early in the new season.  Selfie will also work at speed on Saturday, he is making good progress to race again once the tracks are better.

The Azamour – Cataari colt & Manhattan Rain – Madam Devine, All American – Do Gooda, Medaglia D’oro – Lunar Eclipse, Denman – La Chiflota & Hussonet – Tevez fillies have settled back into the stable and worked nicely in their first week back at the track. Rip Van Winkle – Lady Pay & Testa Rossa – Taunt Pauline geldings are getting through good pace work while Fast Learner, Swissta, Japhite, Florence Hill, Cinematic and Lady Henrietta have worked quietly in their first week back.

In Australia
Our Ventura ran another excellent race for 3rd over 1600m at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. She was given a good ride by Jason, ridden just off the speed and was beaten less than half a length on a heavy track.
Hot Mustard has enjoyed a short freshen up and could start next at Warwick Farm next Wednesday or Newcastle Saturday week over 2200m. Untamed Diamond has also enjoyed a short break and is back working quietly at the track.

It has been a quiet fortnight for the stable racing wise as we go through a transitional period of horses coming and going from the stable. We have had a number of horses who have not handled the heavy winter tracks head to the spelling paddock and also our spring horses coming back into the stable to begin their preparations to race once the tracks improve, these include Fast Learner, Cinematic, Japhite, Florence Hill and Lady Henrietta. They have all spelled well and are enjoying being back in the stable with the cold wet weather.

Also re-joining the stable are yearling fillies Manhattan Rain – Madam Devine, All American – Do Gooda, Medaglia D’oro – Lunar Eclipse, Denman – La Chiflota & Hussonet – Tevez.  We look forward to seeing how they progress in their first serious preparation.

Cartell  has trained on well from his good run at Ruakaka, he looks on target to race again at Te Rapa on the 16th over 1200m. Biggin Hill has had a few days freshening up after running some good races on heavy tracks of late, he could race again at Ruakaka on the 23rd July.

City Boy was scratched from Te Rapa last Saturday with a foot issue which needed treatment and a few days’ rest. He appears to be fine again now and will gallop again next week.

Selfie & Top Prospect have had workouts at ¾ speed this week and are progressing nicely.  Irish Missile & Rip Van Winkle - Lady Pay have completed four weeks back in work and will have their work stepped up over the next week.  
Testa Rossa – Taunt Pauline has pace worked this week and is really thriving being back in the stable. Son Taari & Swissta have had a short freshen up in the paddock and have been back in the stable walking.

In Australia
Our Ventura and Hot Mustard both ran excellent 4th placings at Warwick Farm last week. The runs were full of merit considering they both drew the outside barriers in their respective fields.  Our Ventura has thrived since the race and will be nominated to start at Warwick Farm on the 13th July over 1600m. She doesn’t look far off a win in Sydney.
Hot Mustard has had a week off to freshen up and will also head back to Warwick Farm on the 20th over 2400m.
With no luck whatsoever in her 3 starts in Sydney Untamed Diamond has had a freshen up in the paddock and will be aimed for an 1100m race at Canterbury on the 27th July. She just needs an ounce of luck to pick up some decent prize money for her big group of enthusiastic owners.

Biggin Hill will head to Tauranga on Saturday for the R85 1200m. He has drawn the ace barrier and will be ridden by Alysha who has ridden him in his recent starts. His form on the course and distance is good and he has been placed at both his starts on heavy tracks however we would prefer a loose track rather than sticky and holding for him.

City Boy ran a good 3rd at Ruakaka last Saturday, he had to be used early to lead from his wide draw and that probably told over the final stages when he was run down close to the line. He could head to Te Rapa for his next start over 1400m on 2nd July.
Cartell ran an excellent 4th at the same venue after a lengthy break. He fought hard to the line and finished less than a length from the winner. He could also start at Te Rapa next Saturday or a fortnight later. Dark Secret was on face value disappointing as we had expected a good effort from him on the firmer surface however he had his excuses when he became unbalanced and overreached early in the race. He will now have a break and wait for better tracks in the spring.

Although he had been galloping well on the training tracks of late, Son Taari found the track conditions at Avondale on Wednesday just too heavy & wet. He will have a short freshen up and will race over more ground possibly at Ruakaka next month.

Top Prospect is back at the track after a short let up following his good trial. He could make his 2yo debut in July.  Selfie enjoyed stepping up to some faster work this week, he will have another run along at ¾ speed on Saturday. Irish Missile, Rip Van Winkle – Lady Pay & Testa Rossa – Taunt Pauline have worked along quietly this week.

Three yearlings have returned from the breakers this week.  Guillotine – Mary Agnes (½ brother to City Boy) Azamour – Cataari (1/2 brother to Son Taari) and Any Suggestion – Southern Touch ( ½ brother to Mills N Boon)

In Australia
Untamed Diamond will look to turn her form around in the 3yo 1200m at Randwick tomorrow. With Jason on board, we will be hoping for a better ride than her previous start. Jason has been getting plenty of advice from Alysha so there should be no excuses!

Link to Randwick fields –
http://racing.racingnsw.com.au/FreeFields/Acceptances.aspx?Key=2016Jun25,NSW,Royal%20Randwick

Our Ventura ran a sound race for 7th over 1300m first up at Newcastle last Saturday. She was well back early and made up good ground out wide in the straight. If our jockey Chad Lever hadn’t dropped his stick she could have finished as close as 3rd so it was a good effort. She will race again next Wednesday at Warwick Farm over 1600m which should be more to her liking.  Hot Mustard will start the same day over 2200m, he continues to train on well. Jason will ride both horses.