Jonathan Riddell

Royal Performer upsets in Group One feature

Posted on February 14, 2021
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Well-travelled galloper Royal Performer spoilt the party for the many supporters of race favourite Melody Belle when he caused an upset by racing away with Saturday's Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa. The large on-course crowd were on hand to witness Melody Belle try and break the record of thirteen career Group[...]

Posted on January 10, 2021
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Trainer John Bary admitted his overwhelming feeling was one of relief after he watched his stable star Callsign Mav lump topweight of 63kg to an emphatic victory over 1400m at Awapuni on Saturday. Bary had been looking for a performance that would indicate whether his Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) winner could be capable of[...]

Posted on November 4, 2020
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

The Frank Ritchie-trained Fiscal Fantasy is now on the hunt for an elusive Group 1 victory after winning her third Group 3 race at Ellerslie on Tuesday. The diminutive daughter of Skilled made it back-to-back wins in the Group 3 Jarden Stakes (2000m), taking an inside passage down the straight to win by two lengths[...]

Posted on October 8, 2020
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Group 1 performer Dawn Patrol will be out to add a second stakes victory to his record at Matamata on Saturday when he contests the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup, a race which will be run over 1400m this year, having previously been contested at 1600m. The reduction in distance will suit Dawn Patrol, who[...]

Posted on October 1, 2020
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Hawke's Bay trainer John Bary is hoping to upset the applecart once again on Saturday when Callsign Mav contests the Group 1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) on his home track at Hastings. The Atlante four-year-old was a surprise $81 winner of the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) a fortnight ago but despite the impressive victory,[...]

Posted on September 25, 2020
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Gisborne trainer Mick Gardner was quick to divert the credit for his first success at Woodville on Thursday to prominent Hastings horsemen Paul Nelson. Gardner (65), who has the distinction of being the only trainer on the Makaraka racecourse, prepared Nedwin to rock punters to the tune of $59.70 when racing away to a two[...]

Posted on September 20, 2020
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Hastings trainer John Bary has saddled plenty of big-race winners on home soil, but none with the shock factor of Callsign Mav's boilover in Saturday's Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). Bary had previously won the season-opening Group 1 feature in 2013 with Survived, who also won the Group 3 Hawke's Bay Gold Cup (2200m), while[...]

Posted on September 11, 2020
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Fiscal Fantasy has become one of trainer Frank Ritchie's stable favourites and he admits it will be a sad day when she leaves his Cambridge barn for the last time. The six-year-old mare will begin her final preparation with Ritchie in the Auckland Co-op Taxis 1600 at Ellerslie on Saturday and while he has reserved[...]

Posted on October 20, 2019
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Enigmatic four-year-old Dawn Patrol made a welcome return to the winner's enclosure when he took out the Group 3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua with a powerful finishing burst. Runner-up to Madison County in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) last season, the Dawn Approach gelding had finished a disappointing seventh at Group[...]

Posted on October 5, 2019
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Talented Cambridge galloper True Enough has made the perfect start to a new campaign, scoring a smart first-up win in the Group 3 Red Badge Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday. The son of Nom du Jeu had won six of his 15 starts in previous campaigns, placing in another six including a third[...]

Posted on June 8, 2019
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Class galloper Sultan of Swing returned to winning form with a vengeance when he dealt with his open- class rivals over 1600m at Te Rapa. The Shaune Ritchie-trained six-year-old indicated he was nearing his peak after a sound effort for second at Ellerslie a fortnight ago and franked that form with his ninth career victory[...]

Royal Performer upsets in Group One feature

Callsign Mav all class at Awapuni

Fiscal Fantasy on the hunt for elusive Group 1

Cup assignment for Dawn Patrol

Callsign Mav out to prove he’s top gun

Advice proves a successful recipe for Gardner

Locals land massive upset in Tarzino

Last hurrah for Fiscal Fantasy

Dawn Patrol back to his best at Rotorua

Fresh True Enough takes Spring Sprint

Sultan Of Swing back in winning rhythm

What are you really gambling with?