Herald racing editor.
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Mick on Monday: Aussie busy at Ellerslie from Boxing Day
Blake Shinn looks set to have a huge impact on Ellerslie’s glamour meetings.
How David Ellis shaped NZ racing and earned Hall of Fame honour
Racing legend David Ellis humbled, says success due to team and iconic horses.
'Hard to beat': Trainer confident as Puntura faces Group 2 test
Puntura aims for back-to-back wins in Manawatū Challenge Stakes at Trentham.
Racing renaissance: Top stable set to shine on $100k race night
Why tonight's Golden Gait finals mark a new era for harness racing.
Equal stakes, equal chances: Inside NZ's $1m Golden Gait race night
Golden Gait showcases diverse talent with equal stakes, headlined by Duchess Megxit.
How a handicap 'recount' favours Alabama Lass in top sprint race
Alabama Lass to carry 52kgs in Railway after NZTR corrects handicap error.
Mick on Monday: Why Damask Rose is a key contender for NZ's richest races
Damask Rose added some much-needed clarity to markets for NZ's two richest races.
Racing: Inside the horse breeding empire built by Sistema founder
Brendan Lindsay has horses with 31 different trainers.
Why Campionessa faces a tough challenge at Te Rapa tomorrow
Walker predicts Snazzytavi will beat the defending champ in Cal Isuzu Stakes.
How Zachary Butcher is redefining success in harness racing
Zachary Butcher sets a new North Island stakes record, surpassing his father David.
Michael Guerin: The human cost of greyhound racing's unexpected demise
OPINION: Nearly 3000 dogs face uncertain futures as racing is effectively ended in NZ.
Winston Peters unveils TAB monopoly bill, $100m boost for NZ racing
Racing Minister praises new law, calls it 'a major piece of the puzzle' for NZ racing.
New law to protect NZ racing from offshore betting losses
Winston Peters' law will secure the TAB's online betting monopoly, boosting racing.
'Like lining up winning kick for the All Blacks': Kiwi jockey wins $8.8m race in Hong Kong Cup
One of the world’s biggest meetings was turned into an exhibition of NZ talent.
Mick on Monday: The reality of Opie Bosson's triumphant return
We could have our best jockey back for the summer, as Bosson chases a career milestone.
James McDonald leads Kiwi charge in Hong Kong
Everywhere you look tonight there will be Kiwis in the thick of it.
Crocetti's chance to shine in $120,000 Concorde Stakes at Ellerslie
Crocetti aims to regain form in the Concorde Stakes at Ellerslie today.
Addington: Don’t Stop Dreaming and Merlin set for Christian Cullen
Purdon: 'We want to lead', aiming for victory in the $200,000 Christian Cullen.
McDonald shines with three wins at Hong Kong's jockey challenge
Four New Zealand-bred horses win at Happy Valley, highlighting Kiwi success in Hong Kong.
James McDonald leads NZ charge in Hong Kong on megastar thoroughbred
Kiwi jockey officially named world's best at Hong Kong Gala Dinner.
La Crique and El Vencedor headline field for Mufhasa at Trentham
Big-name horses miss Mufhasa Classic; La Crique and El Vencedor confirmed to race.
Mick on Monday: Derby favourite's tag set to be shortlived
'We firmly believe he will be a high-class 1600-metre horse this summer.'
'Right where he needs to be': Skyman backed despite 18-month win drought
'I think the race is almost perfect for him.': Trainer Marsh on Skyman’s chances today.
Duchess Megxit faces tough challenge in NZ Pacing Oaks
Treacherous Baby aiming for victory, favoured at $1.80, with Duchess Megxit at $5.50.
Jumps racing saved in New Zealand with bold new changes ahead
Hurdles and steeplechase will go on for at least 3 years with track and scheduling tweaks.
Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod favoured in weakened Inter Dominion field
A host of Kiwi entries have withdrawn for various reasons.
James McDonald reclaims tag of world's best jockey
'It’s a huge honour and it’s just reflective of all the good horses I’ve ridden.'
Waitak and Karman Line face tough challenge in Counties Bowl
Pukekohe racing heats up as elite fields challenge trainers at Counties Cup meeting.
Can Lady Of The Light shine at Alexandra Park after a tough spring?
Jeremy Young hopes Lady Of The Light shines at Alexandra Park.
Crocetti leads stacked field as Counties Bowl heats up
Warren Kennedy backs Crocetti, the $2.60 favourite, for a strong return at Pukekohe.
Waikato racing on brink of historic change
The racing industry in Waikato looks to centralise operations.
The time is right for Karaka sale
Ka Ring Rising wasn’t a graduate of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run sale.
Victorian star to headline great Aussie jockey invasion
Australian-based jockeys have had a huge year in New Zealand.
Jockey's insight: Alabama Lass' key to Guineas success
'I think she has the speed to get across them early so that will help.'
Ben Hope ready for showdown with Just Believe in Free-For-All
Ben Hope confident Muscle Mountain can challenge Just Believe in today's Free-For-All.
Catch A Wave returns to form: Can he unsettle the favourites tonight?
Catch A Wave's driver aims for calm in Free-For-All; early speed could disrupt favourites.
Captured By Love needs luck to challenge Alabama Lass in Guineas
Walker seeks luck for Captured By Love in NZ 1000 Guineas, eyes rain-free Riccarton.
All eyes on Keayang Zahara in $500k Ascent debut at Addington
Jason Lee: 'She loves to look around' - Keayang Zahara ready for Addington debut.
Swayzee defends New Zealand Trotting Cup title at Addington, surprises trainer
'He had that feel about him – I didn’t want to miss this opportunity.'
Just Believe claims Dominion for Tasman domination
Sweet rush for driver Greg Sugars at Addington.
Racing: Bet N Win has belief to strike from behind
Bob Butt: 'We are probably going to have to come from behind.'
Racing: Kiwi racers must make their point to break Swayzee
Can the locals maintain a proud home record against the Aussie bully?
Racing: Merlin and Akuta and spellbinding dash for Cup Week glory
Cam Hart: 'Merlin looks the one to beat.'
Jockey Craig Grylls chasing best shot at NZ premiership
Grylls may have become racing’s $5 million man but now he wants more.
Savaglee set to win 2000 Guineas at Riccarton
'The good colts can bounce out of hard races or the travel and he has done that.'
Merlin's trainers stay focused amid NZ Cup chaos
Swayzee enters NZ Cup late, flying with Leap To Fame, while Phelan eyes Merlin's chances.
Racing: Addington takes the lead in Cup Week riches
One event will contain the winners of every pacing race that matters; a betting bonanza.
Outsider Knight’s Choice stuns, wins Melbourne Cup in thrilling finish
Knight's Choice was paying $63.50 on the tote to win the Cup.
Sharp N Smart leading Kiwi Cup charge
Two years ago New Zealand jockey Mick Dee cost Sharp N Smart the biggest win of his career
Overseas raiders likely to steal away Melbourne Cup
The race that used to stop a nation (or two) now brings four or five nations together.
Cooksley hoping for Melbourne Cup he was denied
Grant Cooksley is going back to Flemington to try and win the Melbourne Cup he was denied.
Atishu goes one better in Empire Rose
A year after flying home for second behind Pride Of Jenni, Atishu returned to Flemington.
Bellatrix Star seeks upset in Coolmore, takes on Aussie colts
The domination of mares in major Australian races has become more prominent.
Horse racing: Paramount Kiwi set for The Ascent, races tonight at Alexandra Park
Pantani, trained by David Butcher, is off a 10m handicap and could be the one to beat.
Horse racing: Orchestral gets blinkers for spring grand final at Flemington
Roger James confident as Orchestral aims for Empire Rose Stakes win at Derby Day.
Three Kiwi entries set for Melbourne Cup
New Zealand is guaranteed to have three representatives in next Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.
Cold Chisel passes early X-ray tests after leg injury fears
Trainer: 'At the moment we have no idea what has happened.'
Merlin triumphs but Cold Chisel faces injury concern
Cold Chisel injured after race as Merlin moves closer to New Zealand Cup glory.
Jockeys halt Sarten Memorial as two horses slip on Te Rapa track
Abandonment marks another setback for racing, but top fillies may clash at 1000 Guineas.
Captured By Love aims for victory in $150,000 Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa
Co-trainer Bergerson confident after training adjustments for Captured By Love's start.
New Zealand's best pacer Merlin aims for victory ahead of $1m Cup
Merlin faces Don't Stop Dreaming in the $60,000 Flying Stakes; both are strong contenders.
Waller compares Via Sistina to legendary Winx after Cox Plate victory
The former Irish mare destroyed her opponents in the A$5,000,000 Cox Plate at The Valley.
Alabama Lass wins Group 2 stakes but faces uncertainty ahead of NZ 1000 Guineas
Ken Kelso-trained filly stuns competitors with wide run.
Alabama Lass on track to follow in path of Bounding
Ken Kelso: 'They are actually following the exact same programme.'
Cox Plate 2023: Via Sistina's dramatic trackwork incident sparks race day intrigue
Trainer: 'I couldn’t fault her. In all honesty it would be an injustice not to run her.'
Racing: Cambridge trainer planning for late dash
Stephen Marsh: 'I can see my fillies sitting just in behind them and charging late.'
Kango returns as Arna Donnelly's stable gears up for a big night
Jolimont, with strong form, is Donnelly's best hope for victory at Alexandra Park tonight.
Leap To Fame launches into NZ Cup favouritism
If you love seeing the best horses, then this is good news.
Ceolwulf storms to victory at A$5m King Charles
The wild rollercoaster ride of elite level racing was perfectly summed up by one horse.
Kiwi challenge proves luckless in Everest
The Kiwi challenge proved both luckless and listless in the A$20 million Everest.
Kiwi horses backed to win world's richest race
I Wish I Win and Joliestar are the New Zealand-owned favourites.
Positivity scratched from A$5m Caulfield Cup after lameness concerns
The trainer cites lameness and unsuitable track conditions in Positivity's scratching.
Battle of the Giants: NZ studs Waikato and Cambridge face world racing elite
Australia’s richest race has become New Zealand racing’s Battle of the Giants.
Tony Pike eyes big day at Ellerslie with four strong contenders
Pike is aiming for spring success at Ellerslie with Val Di Zoldo in the R75 1600m.
Racing: Moody has happy vision for Everest heights
Trainer: 'I think it is a very even field and it could be a messy race.'
I Wish I Win aims for Everest glory at second time of asking
“It is definitely easier the second time around,” says Mark Chittick.
Joliestar draws ideal barrier 4 as Everest contenders take shape
Two New Zealand horses have drawn barriers linked to past Everest victories since 2017.