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Tarzino’s Gypsy Goddess a star on the rise

Kiwi-bred filly Gypsy Goddess made a one-act affair of the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (2100m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, cruising to victory to keep her unbeaten record intact, with four wins from as many starts. In the process, the David Vandyke-trained filly provided exciting Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino with his first stakes winner. Sent out a $1.24 favourite, Gypsy Goddess travelled like the winner throughout under a patient Stephanie Thornton, who barely had to shake the reins to produce a n...

Weekend Runners - 18.12.21

Good luck to connections of all Cm graduates racing over the weekend including the following:AUSTRALIA SATURDAYEagle Farm- Race 5 Grand Prix S. Gr.3, A$250000 2100m            Caboche (NZ) 2018 (G. by Vadamos-Floramour) (trainer: C J Waller)            Gypsy Goddess (NZ) 2018 (F. by Tarzino-Invisible Coin) (trainer: David Vandyke)Toowoomba TC- Race 1 Tricare Willow Glen H., A$20000 1300m            Calm See...

Grand Prix at Gypsy’s mercy

Undefeated three-year-old filly Gypsy Goddess is set to start a short-priced favourite for the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (2100m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The New Zealand-bred daughter of Tarzino has shot to prominence under the tutelage of  Sunshine Coast trainer David Vandyke, stringing together wins over 1400m and 1600m at her home track, before closing too well for her rivals over 2000m at Doomben last start despite enduring a torrid run. With a number of the vanquished set to oppose Gyp...

Tevere comes up trumps at Te Rapa

Curraghmore's Gordon Cunningham and Ballymore combined to post a winning double this week.The Cunningham bred and raced Let’s Say Grace was the first to salute the judge, winning on debut at Tauranga on Friday.On Saturday exciting sprinter/miler Tevere strolled home in a rating 74 1200m contest on at Te Rapa. Pam Gerard, who prepares the New Zealand arm of the Ballymore operation in partnership with Michael Moroney, was especially impressed with Tevere who has bigger and better things in ...

Vandyke doubles up with Cm graduates

Kiwi-bred filly Gypsy Goddess maintained an unblemished record when she overcame difficulties in the running to post her third consecutive victory at Doomben on Saturday. The three-year-old daughter of Westbury Stud-based stallion Tarzino has proved a revelation for trainer David Vandyke, after she provided no indication of her ability leading into her first start at the Sunshine Coast back in October. Vandyke didn’t know what to think after she had been beaten by every trackwork partner leadi...

Curraghmore graduate keeps unbeaten record intact

Trainer David Vandyke keeps raising the bar for Gypsy Goddess (Tarzino x Invisible Coin) and the three-year-old filly continues to jump it.Early on Vandyke thought Gypsy Goddess would be lucky to win and maiden.After keeping her record at a perfect three for three with a hugely impressive performance in Saturday’s XXXX Eagle Way Quality (2000m) at Doomben, Vandyke believes he has an Oaks prospect on his hands.Ridden by Stephanie Thornton, Gypsy Goddess came from back in the field, was speared ...

Weekend Runners - 4.12.2021

Good luck to the connections of all Cm runners hitting the track this weekend including the following:AUSTRALIA SATURDAYBowen TC- Race 5 Veris H., A$8500 1470m Pumps (NZ) 2015 (G. by Jimmy Choux-Musigny) (trainer: Bonnie Thomson)Doomben- Race 3 Eagle Way H., A$125000 2000m Caboche (NZ) 2018 (G. by Vadamos-Floramour) (trainer: C J Waller)            Gypsy Goddess (NZ) 2018 (F. by Tarzino-Invisible Coin) (trainer: David Vandyke)Pakenham RC- Race 1 John Duff ...

In A Twinkling set to shine in Pakenham Cup

Former Kiwi galloper In A Twinkling will put his stakes credentials to the sword once again on Saturday when he lines-up in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m). The six-year-old gelding has had just the two runs for new trainer Lindsay Smith who believes his new acquisition is nearing peak fitness. In A Twinkling ran a first-up seventh on a heavy track at Cranbourne last month before backing up the following week when eighth in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m), both times with&nbs...

Weekend Runners - 27.11.2021

Good luck to connections of all Cm graduates racing this weekend including the following:AUSTRALIA SATURDAYBalcardine- Race 5 Ray White H., A$8500 1300m Granola State (NZ) 2013 (G. by Cape Blanco-Tip the Wink) (trainer: David Rewald)Illawarra TC- Race 5 Lauren Hellicar H., A$35000 1200m Sundelago (AUS) 2016 (G. by Fighting Sun-Special Mention) (trainer: Paul Murray)                     Race 6 Colin Davies H., A$35000 1000m&nbs...

Weekend Runners 20.11.2021

Good luck to the connections of all Cm graduates racing over the weekend including the following:AUSTRALIA SATURDAYBallarat TC- Race 8 Ballarat Cup L, A$500000 2000m In a Twinkling (AUS) 2015 (G. by Fastnet Rock-Moment in Time) (trainer: L Smith)Darwin TC- Race 4 Off the Track Lightning H., A$20000 1200m Power Rush (NZ) 2015 (F. by Power-Maid of Tralee) (trainer: Philip Cole)Gosford RC- Race 6 McPherson Plumbing H., A$35000 1200m Sundelago (AUS) 2016 (G. by Fighting Sun-Special Me...

Blatch soaking up the pressure of Cup week

Like any trainer who has a runner engaged in a major race, Nikki Blatch has a few frayed nerves on the eve of what could be a career defining moment. Nikki and husband Barrie will line-up the well-favoured Mr Intelligence in Saturday’s Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton off the back of an impressive victory in last weeks’ Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2500m). Blatch, who has just five horses currently in work at the couple’s Tapanui property, had thought that win would ...

Age of Chivalry back in winner’s circle with Flemington Group Three

The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained Age Of Chivalry has been a model of consistency but was back in the winner’s circle for the first time since August 2019 when digging deep to land the Gr.3 Chatham Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. The six-year-old son of He’s Remarkable has been a stable favourite for the training partnership, which will go their separate ways at the end of the month. Multiple Group One-placed Age of Chivalry pulled out too many stops for Crosshaven and Justacanta, wi...

All roads lead to the New Zealand Cup for Mr Intelligence

Topweight Mr Intelligence gave his rivals weight and a beating as he provided the perfect dress rehearsal for next weeks’ Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) when he took out the traditional lead-up event, the Listed Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (2500m) on Saturday. Tapanui-base trainers Nikki and Barrie Blatch brought the lightly raced six-year-old son of Niagara north to Riccarton in recent weeks as they furthered the Cup preparation for their charge, who had been roun...

Weekend Runners - 06.11.2021

Good luck to the connections of all Cm graduates racing over the weekend including:  AUSTRALIA SATURDAYGCTC- Race 4 Tradelink: Plumber's Crack Maiden P., A$24000 1400m Colleagues (NZ) 2018 (G. by Reliable Man-Avisto) (trainer: David Vandyke)Flemington- Race 7 Chatham S. Gr.3, A$201300 1400m Age of Chivalry (NZ) 2015 (G. by He's Remarkable-Onyx) (trainer: M Ellerton & S Zahra) MALAYSIA SATURDAYRace 5 Gopeng H., Rgt.20500 1400m Heart of Courage (AUS) 2014 (G. by Fastnet Rock-Myrrh) (trai...

Weekend Runners - 29.10.2021

Good luck to the connections of all Cm graduates racing this weekend including:AUSTRALIA SATURDAYFlemington-  Race 5 Empire Rose S. Gr.1, A$1002100 1600m Tofane (NZ) 2015 (F. by Ocean Park-Baggy Green) (trainer: M D Moroney)                       Race 8 Cantala S. Gr.1, A$2002100 1600m Kahma Lass (NZ) 2017 (F. by Darci Brahma-Distinctive Lass) (trainer: J W Richards)MALAYSIA SATURDAYRace 2 Class 5 H., Rgt.15500 1400m Trin...

Tofane after crowning glory

Michael Moroney always thought a mile would be ideal for his dual Group One winner Tofane and that has proven to be the case. She had previously only raced up to 1400m until last month where she ran fourth in her first start over a mile in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) before finishing runner-up to fellow Kiwi-bred I’m Thunderstruck in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield. “We got a bit held up in the Toorak, her weight (58kg) wasn’t ideal, but she still went terrific,” Mo...

Weekend Runners - 23.10.2021

Good luck to connections of all Cm graduates racing this long weekend including the following:AUSTRALIA SATURDAYDarwin TC- Race 4 Ladbrokes H., A$18500 1000m Power Rush (NZ) 2015 (F. by Power-Maid of Tralee) (trainer: Philip Cole)Illawarra TC- Race 6 Ian Craig Maiden P., A$35000 1200m Teluici (NZ) 2018 (F. by Tivaci-Dubai Belle) (trainer: M, W & J Hawkes)Isisford RC- Race 2 Class 5 P., A$9000 1000m Granola State (NZ) 2013 (G. by Cape Blanco-Tip the Wink) (trainer: David Rewal...

Sacred Armour makes winning start

Four-year-old gelding Sacred Armour (NZ) (Sacred Falls) made a winning start to his career in Australia for South Australian trainer Travis Doudle, when winning a maiden plate over 1100m on Gawler Cup Day. Previously prepared by Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, for whom he had finished fifth and second in his two starts, Sacred Armour was ridden positively by Ryan Hurdle and dashed clear in the straight to justify his $1.50 favouritism. “It was good to see him do it. He has shown us a sta...

Weekend Runners - 16.10.2021

Good luck to connections of all Cm graduates racing this weekend including the following:AUSTRALIA SATURDAYCaulfield- Race 7 Tristarc S. Gr.2, A$301000 1400m Kahma Lass (NZ) 2017 (F. by Darci Brahma-Distinctive Lass) (trainer: J W Richards)    Avoca Shire TC- Race 7 Astbury Welding & Contract H., A$20000 1300m Hendrika (NZ) 2016 (F. by Iffraaj-Danness) (trainer: Andrew Bobbin) Newcastle JC- Race 1 PFD Foodservice P., A$35000 2300m Sassysav (NZ) 2017 (F. by Savabeel-Rock Diva) (trainer:...

Kahma Lass all class in Listed win

Kahma Lass broke through for her first win on Australian soil on Saturday in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m).Last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner proved too strong for her rivals and could now potentially be aimed at the Gr.1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) having ticked the Australian black-type box.“It was great to see her return to winning form,” trainer Jamie Richards said after also winning the Gr.1 Might And Power Stakes with Probabeel who like Kahma Lass ...

Weekend Runners 9.10.21

Good luck to connections of all Cm graduates racing this weekend including the following:AUSTRALIA SATURDAYRandwick- Race 8 Spring Champion S. Gr.1, A$1005000 2000m French Emperor (AUS) 2018 (G. by Tavistock-Special Memories) (trainer: David Payne)Bowen TC- Race 1 Bowen Tyre & Mechanical H., A$10000 1000m Pumps (NZ) 2015 (G. by Jimmy Choux-Musigny) (trainer: Bonnie Thomson)Caulfield- Race 2 Weekend Hussler H. L, A$175500 1400m Kahma Lass (NZ) 2017 (F. by Darci Brahma-Distinctive Lass) (trainer: ...

Weekend Runners- 02.10.2021

Good luck to connections of all Cm graduates racing this weekend including the following:AUSTRALIA SATURDAYRandwick- Race 9 Metropolitan H. Gr.1, A$755000 2400m No Compromise (NZ) 2016 (G. by Pins-Baggy Green) (trainer: C J Waller)  Flemington- Race 6 Rose of Kingston S. Gr.2, A$301700 1410m Annavisto (NZ) 2017 (F. by Reliable Man-Avisto) (trainer: M Price & M Kent Jnr)Darwin TC- Race 2 Octoberfest H., A$22000 1100m Power Rush (NZ) 2015 (F. by Power-Maid of Tralee) (trainer: Phili...

Tevere terrific at Te Rapa

Tevere recorded her second win at just her fourth start at Te Rapa on Friday when winning the Dunstan Recovery Mash 1200. Bred and owned by Curraghmore Stud principal Gordon Cunningham, Tevere had displayed above average qualities when storming home to win her Maiden over 1200m in May, clocking the fastest final 600m of the day, and following near four months respite she delivered again. Also aboard for the first win, jockey Michael McNab did a good job of negating an awkward barrier (10) to sne...

Khufu continues on Guineas campaign

Last start winner Khufu will continue his progression towards the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 49th New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) when he contests Saturday’s Gr.2 Dundeel at Arrowfield Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings. The Tony Pike-trained three-year-old broke through for his maiden win at Hawera earlier this month and while Pike hadn’t planned on stepping him back up to stakes company so soon, track conditions dictated the next step in his preparation. “We wanted to take an ...

Weekend Runners - 24.09.2021

Good luck to connections of all Cm graduates racing this weekend including the following:AUSTRALIA FRIDAYEwan ATC- Race 3 Northern Airconditioning H., A$15100 1300m Pumps (NZ) 2015 (G. by Jimmy Choux-Musigny) (trainer: Bonnie Thomson)MVRC- Race 3 Bill Stutt S. Gr.2, A$301500 1600m Riverplate (NZ) 2018 (C. by Flying Artie-Dynastic Lady) (trainer: T Busuttin & N Young)Shoalhaven City TC- Race 8 Country Motor Company Maiden H., A$24000 1000m Sundelago (AUS) 2016 (G. by Fighting Sun-Special Men...