Levin Classic

New Zealand Pattern Committee announce black-type changes

Posted on September 25, 2023
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

The New Zealand Pattern Committee (NZPC) has completed its annual review of black-type racing in New Zealand, with several changes made to the schedule of feature races for 2023-24. The total number of black-type races has been reduced by eight to 142 races. This is due to a downward trend in the overall number of[...]

Posted on March 20, 2023
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Leading trainer Mark Walker enjoyed another strong day on Saturday as he marches towards the record for wins in a season. Predecessor Jamie Richards currently holds that title with 160 wins in the 2020/21 season but with a Tauranga treble and a Trentham Group One win, Walker has rocketed to 149 wins for the season[...]

Posted on March 17, 2023
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Tegan Abel, one of the lesser lights of northern apprentice jockey ranks, is a mixture of excited and nervous ahead of her Group One debut on Dusty Road in Saturday's Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham. The North Waikato-based 27-year-old began her career with the Rogerson stable and is now indentured to Pukekohe trainer Michael Rogers.[...]

Posted on March 16, 2023
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Otaki trainers Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard will tackle feature races with a high-quality trio at Trentham on Saturday. The couple will produce Colorado Silver in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m), Flamenco in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Hold The Press in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m). “All three of our[...]

Posted on March 15, 2023
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Wiremu Pinn will be hunting more Group One success when he heads to Trentham this weekend. The Waikato hoop recorded his maiden Group One success aboard Marscapone in last year's Group 1 WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki and he believes he is a good chance of doubling his elite-level tally aboard The Intimidator in the[...]

Posted on March 12, 2023
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Jockey Lee Magorrian will make a return to New Zealand next weekend to partner emerging three-year-old Master Brutus in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham. The Irish native hasn't ridden in New Zealand since relocating to Sydney in 2016 but has answered the call of long-time friend Derek Nolan, whose partner Sophia Orting[...]

Posted on February 16, 2023
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Never-say-die South Canterbury three-year-old Specialty could earn himself a shot at another Group One race if he can snare a Guineas double at Invercargill on Saturday. The Rip Van Winkle gelding finished a gallant fifth in Pier's Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton last November, having gone into that race as a previous-start[...]

Posted on February 13, 2023
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Prowess, who started the hottest favourite of the day at Te Rapa on Saturday, justified her quote when she gave her three-year-old counterparts a complete shellacking in the Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m). The last start winner of the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m), where she defeated horses of the calibre[...]

Posted on January 4, 2023
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

On a day where the Te Akau Racing tangerine and blue colours played a prominent role in most results it was promising filly Romancing The Moon that provided one of the highlights. The Mark Walker-trained three-year-old was having her first start since finishing fourth behind the unbeaten Legarto in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000[...]

Posted on March 23, 2022
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

New Zealand jockey Michael McNab is enjoying his best ever season and remains focussed on the immediate future, rather than becoming too caught up in the prospect of a first National Jockeys' Premiership. McNab currently sits atop the table with 82 victories, including an impressive 13 at Group or Listed level, and an 11-win buffer[...]

Posted on March 22, 2022
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Jamie Richards made the penultimate weekend of his current training stint in New Zealand a memorable one when he produced a Group One winning double at Trentham on Saturday. Richards, who will enter the next stage of his career when he makes the move to Hong Kong in May, will prepare his last runners in[...]

Posted on March 20, 2022
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Jamie Richards' relentless dominance of New Zealand racing keeps rolling on into his final few weeks on these shores, saddling all of the first four placegetters in Saturday's Group 1 Wellington Seamarket Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham – the second time he has achieved that remarkable feat this season alone. Richards – who will head[...]

Posted on March 20, 2022
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Enigmatic performer Leaderboard put his best foot forward when he produced a superior staying effort to take out the Listed Barneswood Farm New Zealand St Leger (2600m) at Trentham. The former European stayer, who won once in his homeland before being purchased out of a UK sale for owners the Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate, had won[...]

Posted on March 18, 2022
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Jamie Richards has already forged a successful association with a major Hong Kong thoroughbred identity and that combination could go to the highest level at Trentham on Saturday. The Richards-prepared Self Obsession promises to be a staying force to be reckoned with in the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and[...]

Posted on March 16, 2022
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Allan Sharrock is hoping for a Group One victory to finish off an exciting three-year-old season for Shamus on Saturday. The New Plymouth trainer turned down an opportunity to head to the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in favour of this Saturday's Group 1 Wellington Seamarket Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham after he finished[...]

Posted on March 7, 2022
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Jamie Richards assault on the New Zealand black type features this season continued unabated at Ellerslie on Saturday when the Matamata mentor produced the quinella in the Listed Stella Artois Mufhasa Stakes (1400m). Richards saddled last season's Group 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) winner On The Bubbles and the runner-up that day in I[...]

Posted on March 2, 2022
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Wexford Stables couldn't get what appeared to be their two leading chances in the Group 1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) to the starting gates, but it appears they won't be without a chance of retaining their title at Ellerslie on Saturday. Injuries kept Dark Destroyer and Karman Line out of the classic, but trainers[...]

New Zealand Pattern Committee announce black-type changes

Walker edging closer to record

Abel looking forward to her Group One debut

Couple “won’t die wondering” with Group One fillies

Pinn seeking further Group One success

Magorrian to link with former mentor in Group One

Levin Classic on radar for Guineas star Specialty

Prowess displays all her class at Te Rapa

Romancing The Moon ready for next stakes assignment

In-form McNab not getting ahead of himself

Group One double a special result for Richards

Dazzling Imperatriz heads Levin Classic sweep for Richards

Leaderboard too tough in St Leger

In-form filly strengthening Hong Kong connection

Trentham mile test for Shamus

Richards claims quinella in Mufhasa Stakes

Wexford set to defend Derby crown

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