Herald racing editor.
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Racing: Arcee Phoenix must burn early or chase Locomotive
Chris Svanosio: 'I might have to roll the dice this week.'

‘Menangle boost’ could be key in Cambridge’s mega-money races
Menangle's intense racing makes horses fitter and faster.

Leap To Fame faces toughest test in $1m Cambridge race
Leap To Fame has won 49 of his 62 starts, making him a standout pacer.

'He can definitely win': Purdon's hopes for Cambridge feature races
Mark Purdon has runners in both slot races at Cambridge tonight.

Barrier draw sets stage for $1m race showdown at Cambridge
Don Hugo drew barrier 2, while rival Leap To Fame drew the outside front line.

New training partnership eyes biggest race
Ben and Greg Hope back Muscle Mountain at Cambridge.

The Australian champion horse finally racing in New Zealand
The pacing hero was booked to race in New Zealand last November but had to be pulled out.

La Dorada’s dominant win shakes up two-year-old title race
Jockey Michael McNab praised La Dorada, calling her a 'special filly'.

Racing: La Dorada faces crucial test in $550k race at Trentham
Trainer Sam Bergerson remains confident despite his mount's six-week break.

$1m race prep: High stakes for Merlin at Cambridge tonight
Merlin opens as the $2.50 favourite, but starts from barrier three on the second line.

Why a heavy track won’t derail Tardelli’s chances for $250k Wellington Guineas
A cloud, quite literally, hangs over the huge horse race tomorrow.

Mick on Monday: Sterner tests await top stable
The time for sterner tests has arrived for one of New Zealand's most powerful stables.

Champion's Day: Straight from the horse's mouth
The top trainers in the business rate their chances for the big day.

Four horses, two paths: $3.5m race challenge for O'Sullivan
Sethito and Checkmate are O'Sullivan's top hopes for Ellerslie's big race.

'Has to be better': Trainer confident as Legarto heads to Ellerslie
Legarto will face Group 1 rivals including Belclare and Campionessa.

Race reshuffle as top contender pulled from NZB Kiwi
Dealt With withdrawn from NZB Kiwi due to a puzzling back problem.

Malt Time readies for final race of her career
The two stars of Shaun Clotworthy’s stable will both face an important test today.

Racing: Mike Moroney’s death casts shadow over Savaglee’s Melbourne run
'Even though he had been having treatment he was in good spirits, sharp as a tack.'

Walker heads home to Matamata
It was easy for Mark Walker to choose Matamata over Flemington as his racing destination.

'Quite fit': Legarto ready for return after year-long break
Co-trainer Ken Kelso says Legarto has been busy on the water walker and treadmill.

Leica Lucy’s next big test as Ellis Classic looms at Te Rapa
Robbie Patterson: 'She is one of those horses who is a real pleasure to train.'

'Really gutting': Snazzytavi out of Legend's Day after health scare
La Crique is now the $2.30 favourite for the Herbie Dyke after the withdrawals.

Why superstar mare Orchestral might miss the Herbie Dyke Stakes
The $700,000 Herbie Dyke Stakes will feature at least seven Group 1 winners.

'More aggressive': Trainer's plan to unlock Hinekaha's full potential
It is time for Hinekaha to add a new weapon to her arsenal.

Karaka Millions: Te Akau takes out mega money double at Ellerslie
Two fillies combined with two Australian jockeys to continue the stable's domination.

Karaka Millions: Orchestral claims 4yo mile after 10 magical seconds
Six months of doubt for Orchestral disappeared in just seconds at Ellerslie tonight.

Orchestral must shrug off bum notes of this season
She has strong backing for Karaka Millions night but recent showings have been below par.

Trainer’s party night advice: ‘Get on the Bourbon train’
Trainer Stephen Marsh sounds a little like a liquor salesman before the Karaka Millions.

Orchestral exhibition a likely pointer
The best horse at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day won’t even be racing.

'I had nothing left': Kiwi jockey great Opie Bosson retires from racing
Bosson was halfway through a Christmas Day run when he knew his career was over.

'Not how you like to win': Trainer reflects on Auckland Guineas result
Trainer Andrew Forsman wins Auckland Guineas after inquiry decision.

'Wonderful win': Snazzytavi shines for Cambridge Stud on Boxing Day
Snazzytavi clinches thrilling Zabeel Classic win, edging out rival La Crique by a whisker.

Why Sethito is the standout at Ellerslie’s Eight Carat Stakes today
O’Sullivan: ‘Sethito is the one to beat again’ in today’s 1600m race.

'The right horse': Kennedy eyes victory in $500k Zabeel Classic
Jockey Warren Kennedy believes favourite Snazzytavi can win her first outing at Ellerslie.

Why La Crique’s return to 2000m racing is worth the wait
La Crique set for Group 1 return in Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

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.

Why Campionessa faces a tough challenge at Te Rapa tomorrow
Walker predicts Snazzytavi will beat the defending champ in Cal Isuzu Stakes.

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.

Waitak and Karman Line face tough challenge in Counties Bowl
Pukekohe racing heats up as elite fields challenge trainers at Counties Cup meeting.

Waikato racing on brink of historic change
The racing industry in Waikato looks to centralise operations.

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.

Racing: Kiwi racers must make their point to break Swayzee
Can the locals maintain a proud home record against the Aussie bully?

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.'

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.

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.

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.

Ceolwulf storms to victory at A$5m King Charles
The wild rollercoaster ride of elite level racing was perfectly summed up by one horse.

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.

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.

Snazzytavi's stunning win at Te Rapa cements her Group 1 potential
Snazzytavi benefited from a great ride on Saturday.

Superstar mare Orchestral at long odds in Australia
NZ Derby winner in a different situation to the last time she crossed the ditch.

Campionessa takes concerns into Livamol Classic
Trainer Mark Walker admits favourite Campionessa’s preparation has been less than ideal.

Warren Kennedy optimistic about Te Rapa despite Snazzytavi’s draw
Drawn well, Snazzytavi would have been one of the horses to beat.

Ryan Elliot retains ride on One Bold Cat for $550,000 Te Rapa showdown
Pairing for Livamol Classic target back-to-back Group 1 wins.

Trainer confident as I Wish I Win prepares for world's richest turf race
'All we need now is a decent draw,' says Peter Moody as he eyes victory at Randwick.

James McDonald to reunite with Orchestral for Toorak Handicap
'She had had a tricky spring, she was very delicate for much of it,' says Roger James.

Mustang Valley saved for heavy track as dominoes fall in Hawke's Bay
Sometimes the dominoes just don’t fall your way.

One Bold Cat shows claws to overhaul Skew Wiff at Matamata
Late dash seals victory in Group 1 race with the upcoming Livamol the next goal.

Arrowfield Stud Plate move to Matamata suits favourite says trainer
“The race being here has to help her,” says Mark Walker.

The big losers out of Arrowfield Stud Plate reshuffle
The Arrowfield Stud Plate looks the same but in reality could be very different.

Mick on Monday: Meeting cancellations no longer feel unusual
OPINION: It is annoying and frustrating, and everybody knows it isn't good enough.

Group 1 colt Move to Strike sidelined for tie-forward operation
David Ellis: 'We think she can race well this weekend.'

Oulaghan chasing remarkable double-double
Mark Oulaghan has been gifted the last piece to the puzzle as he chases a remarkable feat.

Imperatriz a deserved Horse of the Year winner
The magnificent sprinting mare won the supreme title.

Mick on Monday: Why Legarto won't race again this year
'Our target is now either late summer or even autumn,' trainer Ken Kelso confirmed.

Beauty, brutality of industry summed up for Pride Of Jenni
The mare has become the people’s champion of Australasian racing.

Triple shot for Forsman in transtasman effort
Aegon, Belardi and Yaldi are all set for strong runs in Australia.

Pier's racing career at risk as knee injury threatens season
“He will be trotted up and have his knee injected with a solution."

Jumps racing future in NZ comes under the microscope
Submissions close on September 6 and NZTR had already received over 60 last week.

Different outlook for Bosson and Skew Wiff at Te Rapa
'She obviously has class so I think she will be in the finish.'

Trainer not harbouring same concerns as many of his rivals
'I am not worried about the track, he handles any sort of going and has won on heavy.'