From an inauspicious weanling sale to the cusp of weight-for-age stardom, Zambardo's trajectory has been anything but predictable, reports NZ Racing Desk. Raised in Ashburton on New Zealand’s South Island, the gelded son of Belardo began life as Our Martian and made his early mark in trials before trainer Emma Wyatt, captivated by his pedigree, snapped him up for just $3100 on gavelhouse.com. Wyatt remembered the unpolished youngster turning up in the depths of winter, hardly an advertisement for what he’d become. But beneath the rough exterior was a promising frame – out of a Zabeel mare who descended from triple Group 1 winner Tall Poppy, and half-brother to Zambezi Warrior. “Time was his friend,” she said. “When he had his first proper prep, I thought he was one of the nicest horses I’ve ever sat on.” Despite his cheeky, at times difficult nature, he won his sole trial and placed twice on debut. Circumstances forced Wyatt to race him sooner than planned, but the results attracted interest. Bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo helped broker his sale to Australia, and Our Martian became Zambardo under the ownership of Carl Holt and the tutelage of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. What followed was turbulence. “He came across here and no joke, he went in the wind right away and was untrainable,” Kent Jnr told Radio TAB. A degenerative throat issue rendered the gelding difficult to manage, both physically and temperamentally. A tie-forward operation proved transformative. “He’s a different horse,” Kent Jnr said. “He can breathe properly. He is super-relaxed, professional, easy to train.” The turnaround was swift. Runner-up in his Australian debut, Zambardo rattled off four consecutive wins, culminating in a gritty second behind Via Sistina in the Gr1 Champions Stakes at Flemington. That performance, worth $540,000 in prize money, saw his rating leap from 78 to 104. “Some people thought it might go even higher,” Kent Jnr admitted. “But they don’t usually punish you too much when you go in off low ratings.” Now spelling, Zambardo could resurface in Queensland with races like the Doomben Cup and Q22 on the radar. A return tilt at spring weight-for-age riches also beckons. “He just kept sticking on,” Kent Jnr said of that Flemington run. “He didn’t get to the outside like we’d hoped. Often they just give up, but he didn’t. Possibly a nice handicap is within reach – but he’s got to do it again to prove he’s a genuine weight-for-age horse.” As for Cataldo, who unearthed the rough-cut diamond, even he might now blink twice before recognising what the little Belardo colt has become.
Zambardo in cruise control at Caulfield (pic: Scott Barbour Racing Photos)
NEWInglis Digital Finishes 2025 With a Flourish
Thursday, 18th December 2025
A pair of well-related mares headlined the final Inglis Digital Online Sale of 2025, each fetching $140,000 and providing a fitting crescendo to a year of record-breaking digital trade. Among the star lots was Merry Angelore, a Castelvecchio-covered sister to Group 3 winner Aviatress, secured by Victorian buyer Andy Grant of APG Invest. Just minutes earlier, Cambridge Stud landed Deadly Desire, a half-sister to Group 1 heroine Ruthless Dame, for the same price. Both fillies brought pedigree and profile to the final Inglis Digital December (Late) catalogue, which grossed more than $2.4 million. For Grant, the purchase adds to a growing breeding interest. “I’ve owned horses for years and have got quite a few around the place with the likes of First Light and Roll The Dice and some of my own with Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young and Mick Price,” he said. “I’ve only been playing in the breeding field for two or three years.” A recent discussion with Will Stott sparked the acquisition. “We were talking about upgrading the mares, so we found this girl and Will thought she would be a good addition – we’ve bought her and we’ll see what happens.” Northmore’s Tammy Notman, who consigned Merry Angelore, said the team had contemplated offering her elsewhere but the timing felt right after Aviatress notched another Stakes win. “It’s so easy with Inglis Digital,” she added. “As long as your videos and photos are good, that’s the key – we had calls about the mare in the lead up and she sold really well.” Cambridge Stud’s purchase of Deadly Desire also drew praise from Go Bloodstock, who offered the 4YO daughter of Super Seth. “We’re thrilled with the sale price,” said Steve O’Connor. “She’s a quality filly from one of the top families in New Zealand, an active family that’s really going places.” Other highlights included King Of Dragons, a well-performed galloper sold for $120,000 to Goulburn trainer Matt Dale and Suman Hedge, as part of an unreserved Trilogy Racing reduction that grossed $274,100. “There was a really good level of pre-sale engagement,” said Trilogy’s Jason Stenning. “The bidding was consistently strong today, especially for this time of year.” In a further boost to the platform’s international pull, a 2.5% share in dual Group 1-placed filly Within The Law sold to US-based investor Will Stroud for $40,000, valuing the Inglis Classic graduate at $1.6 million. “Australia offers some of the world’s highest prizemoney and most lucrative racing opportunities,” Stroud said. “I’m focused on the top-tier fillies and mares, and this is a strategic play, buying into a proven performer with future broodmare value.” The December (Late) Sale rounded out Inglis Digital’s 2025 calendar, which saw 130 individual lots sell for $100,000 or more and total turnover surpass $95 million, figures that underscore the platform’s growing significance, both at home and abroad.
Spice Trail's Chance to Shine Against MM Fancies
Thursday, 18th December 2025
A revealing debut at Randwick on Saturday awaits a promising filly from the Kris Lees yard, with the trainer keen to test Spice Trail against some well-credentialled Magic Millions-bound rivals. While she's only had a single public trial, her win over 800m at Gosford earlier this month caught the eye, and Lees is cautiously optimistic she'll handle the rise in pressure. "It was only a provincial trial so I am always a touch guarded," Lees admitted, "but she ran good time compared to older horses throughout the day." Although confident in her natural speed, he doesn't expect Spice Trail to go toe-to-toe early with noted frontrunner Shiki, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained filly who heads the market as a $1.65 favourite. "She is a natural jump-and-run type filly," Lees said, "but I wouldn't expect she will lead Gai's filly… she looks to be a flying machine." For Lees, the goal is to see how his filly shapes up in stronger company. "We'll see where she sits, it will be a good test for her," he added. "I just want to see her run well and be competitive in good company, which I think she will be." Spice Trail is rated a $9.50 chance on debut and will be partnered by Dylan Gibbons, the stable's former apprentice now established as a senior rider. The filly brings both pedigree and stable familiarity, being by I Am Invincible out of Mabkhara – a broodmare Lees knows intimately. Her family includes Lees' tough campaigner Wandabaa, who earned just under $1 million and was a Group 3 Newcastle Newmarket winner with multiple stakes placings, including a runner-up finish in The Hunter. Mabkhara has also produced Group 1 placegetter Olentia and the speedy Listed winner Malkovich, both trained in Sydney stables. The stable has long relied on Mabkhara's consistency as a producer, and Lees believes Spice Trail may show her class a little earlier than some of her siblings. Precocious by comparison, she carries the weight of a family known for durability, and may yet add flair to that legacy.
Olentia is a half-sister to Spice Trail (pic: magicmillions.com.au)
RA Chairman Responds to ARF Black Type Stance
Thursday, 18th December 2025
The future of Australian Black Type race classifications will now fall under the authority of the Asian Pattern Committee after a landmark announcement by the Asian Racing Federation. The decision, attributed to "exceptional circumstances," removes Racing Australia's decision-making powers for the time being. Responsibility for determining upgrades and downgrades to all Australian Black Type races, including those with existing Pattern status, will now sit with the Asian Pattern Committee, and all judgments will be guided by the Committee's established Ground Rules. Racing Australia acknowledged the ruling on Wednesday, with Chairman Rob Rorrison confirming the governing body would work closely with the Asian Pattern Committee throughout this transitional phase. While the timeline remains open-ended, Racing Australia expressed its understanding of the reasons behind the shift, particularly the absence of approved Australian Black Type Guidelines that align with the standards set out in the Asian Pattern Committee Ground Rules. The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities has supported the move, citing concerns over the lack of quality control measures and governance frameworks around the domestic management of Black Type races. Racing Australia conceded that failure to implement compliant standards could lead to further consequences, but stressed that it takes the decision seriously and remains committed to working toward alignment. The organisation is mindful that the review period is not fixed and will prioritise the adoption of protocols that restore local oversight. Plans are also underway to establish an Australian Black Type Advisory Group. The panel, drawn from key industry stakeholders, will provide strategic support as Racing Australia navigates the regulatory changes and works to re-establish its role in determining race classification status. As a publication whose primary focus is on stakes racing in Australia, blacktyperacing.au welcomes the intervention by the Asian Racing Federation in the hope that our national feature racing calendar will be consolidated into a uniform collective of races ratified, recognised and celebrated at a global level.
Mickey Dee Can Hit an Ellerslie Home Run
Thursday, 18th December 2025
A Boxing Day return to Ellerslie offers Mick Dee more than just a nostalgic homecoming – it brings a full book of rides and a genuine shot at more elite-level success. Among the highlights is his booking aboard El Vencedor in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m), a mount that could provide a valuable trans-Tasman form reference for trainer Stephen Marsh. According to racing.com, while Dee may not enjoy the same headline-grabbing profile as fellow New Zealand expat James McDonald, his record since shifting to Melbourne a decade ago speaks for itself. Now 29, Dee has captured 15 Group 1 victories, including the Caulfield Cup, Victoria Derby and back-to-back Australian Guineas wins – one of which came aboard the New Zealand-trained Legarto in 2023. His calendar year has included a stint in Japan, where 81 rides yielded five wins and 10 runner-up finishes. Back in familiar territory earlier in the year, Dee claimed the New Zealand Derby on Willydoit and the Sunline Vase on Island Life during Ellerslie's inaugural Champions Day. He also partnered the Victorian-based Evaporate into second behind Damask Rose in The NZB Kiwi, further enhancing his rapport with the local racing scene. With family ties to Hawke's Bay through his parents Richard and Jo, Dee makes regular returns home and said the timing was perfect. "I had planned to come home for Christmas and spend time with the family, so it works for me to ride at Ellerslie on Boxing Day," he said. "I've already got a full book with what looks like some good chances." In addition to El Vencedor, Dee is booked for Affirmative Action in the Auckland Guineas, Dance The Night in the Eight Carat Classic, Sneak Peek in the Stayers Championship Final, and promising two-year-old Pounce for Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott. He'll also take rides on Miss Fladgate in the Rating 75 1200m, High Emotion in the Rating 65 1400m, and a Marsh runner in the Stella Artois Championship Final. Marsh, who trains El Vencedor, said the booking was a deliberate move. "We heard Mick was coming home for Christmas and there was a chance he would be riding at Ellerslie, so we had a team talk and decided it would be a good idea to book him," Marsh said. "He's a top Australian hoop and if we did consider taking the horse to Aussie, he would be able to give us some indication of how he might measure up." Adding further interest to the meeting is the presence of another Australia-based expat, John Allen, who will continue his partnership with Zabeel Classic contender Kingswood. Now a flat racing stalwart, Allen began his Australian career as a jumps jockey and has since compiled more than 20 Group 1 victories, including last month's VRC Oaks aboard Strictly Business (see below).
Dee will ride major Group 1 horse El Vencedor (pic: Kenton Wright Race Images)
Trial Form to Influence MM Victoria 2YO Classic
Thursday, 18th December 2025
With just two of the 11 final acceptances for Saturday's $250,000 Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic (1100m) on the Caulfield Heath track having faced the starter in the past, recent trial form will surely play a leading role into how the market figures out the main chances. Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr's Guest Hose (Home Affairs-Flamboyant Lass, by Stratum) has had many talking with the unraced colt having been to the jumpouts on four occasions, placing in his first two before recording back to back wins in his December jumpouts. "He is not a flying machine bullet at this stage but he is a beautiful big strong colt,'" Price said when speaking to racenet.com.au. "He's got a good brain on him, although we have had to slow him down. He can want to dive straight into top gear." Purchased for $270,000 from the Newgate Farm draft by his trainers, Roll The Dice Racing and Rogers Bloodstock, the colt is from a strong black type family but it is worth noting that many of those black type performers are not as 2YOs, so it will be interesting to see how he performs on debut. Unbeaten in his two jumpouts, Ciaron Maher's Unite Five (Supido-En Aval, by Toorak Toff) has drawn ideally in gate one which should see the colt have the benefit of the rail to guide him throughout. Mark Walker will saddle up Kiss Me From Paris (Capitalist-Fromparis Withlove, by Smart Missile) with Craig Williams in the saddle. Winning her second of two jumpouts, the Newgate Farm yearling sale graduate is sure to be well educated on debut.
Juddmonte Releases Mating Plans for Mares
Thursday, 18th December 2025
With an eye on both elite performance and generational legacy, Juddmonte has revealed its 2026 breeding roadmap for an array of high-end mares across its European broodmare band. In its reprt, racingpost.com revealed te likes of Enable, Bluestocking, and Emulous headline the roster, with dual Arc heroine Enable (see below) returning to Darley's Dubawi, as will Bluestocking. Emulous, her dam, is booked to Camelot, and so too is Viadera. Nimble Thimble will visit Havana Grey, while her Gr1-winning daughter Quadrilateral is set to meet Lope De Vega. Pavlosk is heading to Mehmas, and both Babouche and Juliet Foxtrot are in line to visit Night Of Thunder. Meanwhile, Repose is booked for a repeat mating with Starspangledbanner, and Siyouni will cover Obligate, the dam of Juddmonte's promising young stallion Lead Artist. Fresh to stud, Lead Artist begins his career at £12,500 after a Gr1 Lockinge Stakes triumph, and his first book reads like a who's who of Juddmonte's most treasured lines. Among them are Exemplify, dam of Breeders' Cup Mile winner Expert Eye, and Kilo Alpha, dam of Juliet Foxtrot. Stakes winners Alocasia, Classical Times, Diaphora, Scottish Jig, and YesYes will also visit the Dubawi son, whose December sales reception signalled real commercial confidence in his future. Chaldean, a Group 1 winner of the Two Thousand Guineas and Dewhurst, has already made an impression with his first crop. The 33 foals to sell this winter averaged £106,107, with a median of £84,000. He will continue to receive strong home support in 2026, covering Juddmonte's champion mare Midday – whose progeny includes four stakes performers – as well as Quail, the dam of Group 3 winner Faiyum, and Grand Jete, a Group 3 scorer and Group 1-placed performer. His upcoming book also features the likes of Chaleur, Raymonda, and Vivienda. Frankel, who reached his 40th individual Group 1 winner milestone this year, bolstered his tally with two new classic heroines, Lake Victoria and Minnie Hauk. Juddmonte mares due to visit him include past Gr1 winners such as Capla Temptress, Proviso, Special Duty, Teona, and Whitebeam, along with Bird Flown, dam of Irish Guineas winner Siskin. His 2026 book is deep with talent: Brostaigh, Isabella Giles, Matilda Picotte, Andromede, Juliet Sierra, Sacred Bridge, and Coppice are all set, while the dams of Red Letter and Time Lock will also return. Rounding out the stallion power is Kingman, who has surged past 60 group winners and recently became the second-fastest stallion in history to sire 100 stakes winners bred in the northern hemisphere. The influential son of Invincible Spirit will again cover Princess De Lune, dam of dual Group 1 winner Field Of Gold, as well as the dams of Firefall, Maintain, and Publish. Stakes-winning mares including Soffia, Apollo Fountain, Sun Maiden, Juncture, and Zanzoun will also feature prominently in Kingman's upcoming season.
Promising Steel Move Aims at Consecutive Wins
Thursday, 18th December 2025
Successful at his most recent start, winning over 1200m at Ballarat, the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Steel Move (Blue Point-Flying Ice, by Go Deputy) appears a nice and progressive YOo gelding who could take out Saturday's $175,000 Magic Millions VIC 3YO & 4YO Classic (1200m) at Caulfield. With six top three placed efforts from his nine starts to date, the gelding has had six starts for his current trainers and has continued to improve. Set to jump from barrier seven in the 11-horse field, the Jamie Melham ridden gelding has shown to date that he likes to settle back in the field, so if he can secure a clear run when needed, watch for him working into the race late. Slightly out of form since winning the Listed Nitschke Stakes at 3, the Phillip Stokes trained Stay Focused (Cosmic Force-Coral Reef, by Galileo) was a quality 2yo, finishing a half-length second in the Gr3 Blue Diamond Prelude behind Bodyguard (I Am Invincible) before finishing fifth in the Gr1 Blue Dimond Stakes at his next start, beaten less than a length and a half by Hayasugi (Royal Meeting) and Lady of Camelot (Written Tycoon). If the now 4yo could recapture any of that form, then the Bennett Racing purchased yearling is a class above his rivals, but only time will tell if the Thomas Stockdale ridden gelding will show his best.
Playing God Yearlings Headline MM Perth Sale
Thursday, 18th December 2025
A showcase of Western Australia’s finest young bloodstock awaits in 2026, with the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale once again setting the stage for the state’s most promising racing prospects. The sale, featuring 358 carefully curated lots, will unfold at the Swan Valley Complex across Thursday 19 and Friday 20 February, and the newly released online catalogue speaks to its breadth and quality. Stallion representation is as deep as it is diverse, with 79 sires featured. Western Australia’s own Playing God dominates the headlines with 52 yearlings catalogued, while a fresh injection of excitement comes courtesy of first-season sires such as Artorius, Paulele, State of Rest, and Stronger – all Group 1 performers. Local newcomers Aysar, Lightsaber, and Marine One also debut in the catalogue, further bolstering the local industry’s future. Recent form has added momentum, with graduates like Watch Me Rock, Super Smink, King of Light, and Rope Them In all notching black-type wins over the summer. “Western Australian bred gallopers have a proud history of succeeding at the elite level,” said Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch. “From Perth, across Australia, through Asia and even Royal Ascot, the results speak for themselves.” He remains confident this year’s offering continues that trajectory. “Each and every year we present a quality line-up of yearlings in the Swan Valley and 2026 will be no different with strong support from the state's leading thoroughbred breeders,” he added. The catalogue features a rich mix of bloodlines, with at least half-siblings to Group winners such as Bustler, Music Magnate, Portland Sky, and Western Empire. There’s depth in the dam lines too, with dozens of lots descending from stakes-winning mares including Kay Cee, Lubiton, Platinum Rocker, Dainty Tess, and Chantorque. It’s a tapestry of proven performers and emerging families, curated to appeal across a wide buying bench. The build-up will culminate with the Magic Millions WA Raceday at Pinjarra Park on Saturday 14 February – a day that blends Ladies' Day flair with Valentine's spirit and $600,000 in prizemoney. “The day will feature Magic Millions Racing Women’s bonuses run exclusively for sale graduates,” Bowditch noted. “It’s a real highlight on the WA racing calendar and the perfect way to set up a massive week in the West.” Inspections commence the following day and continue through to Wednesday before bidding gets underway. For many, this sale has become a fixture. “So many of our clients tell us the Perth Yearling Sale is right up with their favourite auctions across Australasia,” Bowditch said. “With that history of producing quality racehorses and the enjoyment they have in the West – it’s a combination hard not to love.” Or, as the locals put it: “West is Best.”
Playing God's half-brother to Western Empire will be popular (pic: Western Racepix)
Fillies To Battle it Out in Canterbury Opener
Thursday, 18th December 2025
Scratched from the first at Warwick Farm on Wednesday to be reserved for the first at Canterbury on Friday night, the C J Waller trained Miss Lola (Blue Point-Reemah, by Redoute's Choice) has been working hard to break her maiden, with three placed efforts from her four runs this time in, the Yarraman Park yearling sale graduate should be right on song. Purchased for $480,000 from the Inglis Easter yearling sale by her trainer and bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster, the 3YO filly finished a last start second, beaten three-quarters of a length at Warwick Farm two weeks back, and from barrier 8 with Nash Rawillier in the saddle, she appears to be a leading chance. With two placed efforts from her sole two runs, the New Zealand-bred The Huntress (NZ) (Ardrossan-O'misty, by O'Reilly) comes into the race with a last start third at Canterbury, with the second placed Miss Snitzel (Snitzel) who has since stepped out finishing a narrow second place during the week. An interesting runner is the Hawkes Racing-trained Ready Forcocktails (Snitzel-Ready For Caviar, by More Than Ready), the first foal of a winning daughter of the Champion Black Caviar (Bel Esprit). With four barrier trials under her belt, the 3YO filly looked very good in her most recent trip to the barriers, winning her 1000m heat by the best part of two lengths.
New I'n The Family' Rider for Rothfire
Thursday, 18th December 2025
A familiar face will be absent from Rothfire’s saddle when he takes his place in the Queensland summer carnival this Saturday, forcing trainer Rob Heathcote to make a late change that keeps things, as he puts it, “in the family.” According to racenet.com.au, regular rider Ben Thompson, who was originally booked to partner the eight-year-old in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm, is sidelined through suspension. In his place steps Damien Thornton, Thompson’s brother-in-law and a two-time Group 1 winner – who will ride popular evergreen galloper Rothfire in a race for the first time. The opportunity arose almost by accident. “I was outside the jockeys’ room at the races last Saturday and Damien walked past and I said, ‘Who are you on in the Lough Neagh?’” Heathcote recalled. “I said, ‘Do you want to ride Rothfire?’ He said, ‘Are you serious, of course I do.’” While Thornton hasn’t previously ridden Rothfire in competition, he has partnered other horses for Heathcote and is well regarded by the stable. “Ben would have been on Rothfire had he not been suspended,” the trainer acknowedged. “We’ve kept it in the family.” Rothfire’s return this spring has been one of resilience and class, turning back the clock with a stirring win in the $2 million Sydney Stakes on Everest Day at Randwick, piloted by Hong Kong-based Zac Purton. The Queenslander now lines up for his 40th career start, having already amassed $4.7 million in earnings. From the highs of a Group 1 juvenile triumph to the setbacks of injury and recovery, his career has been a turbulent yet inspiring journey. Heathcote remains cautious about summer conditions, warning last week that his gelding will not be risked on any Queensland tracks deemed too firm. “The Lough Neagh will be a challenging 1300 metres for him to start with in the summer, but class will take this horse a long way,” he said. Early markets installed Rothfire as a $6 chance with TAB fixed odds. Another stable interest on Saturday is Fabulantes, entered for the $200,000 Gold Edition Plate for three-year-olds. Heathcote believes the recently gelded runner is poised to lift after a promising Pierata Plate run. “I thought the run of Fabulantes was brilliant last start,” he said. “I think my horse is a quality horse, and I am hoping the gelding is really the making of him.” Cool Archie, a Group 1 winner and Australian Black Type 2YO Premiership winner for the 2024-25 season, trained by Chris and Corey Munce, headlines the race – but as Heathcote points out, the leap from juvenile brilliance to three-year-old consistency remains a test yet to be passed.
Twin Pronged Eight Carat Attack for Stable
Thursday, 18th December 2025
Plans for Boxing Day at Ellerslie are shaping up promisingly for Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, with not one but two progressive fillies heading toward the Gr2 Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m). While Lollapalooza has long been earmarked for the feature, stablemate Fleeting Star has forced her way into contention following a deserved breakthrough maiden win at last week’s twilight meeting. Lollapalooza’s affinity for the course has never been in doubt. Her spring campaign included a strong Gr3 Gold Trail Stakes victory, a runner-up finish in the Sunline Vase, and a luckless fifth in the Soliloquy Stakes, all before finishing second in the Gr1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas. “I was very proud of her second in the 1000 Guineas,” Richardson said. “There’s no doubting Well Written’s class, but our filly never stopped trying and had all the others covered over the final stages.” Fleeting Star, meanwhile, adds further depth to the Matamata stable’s summer arsenal. The daughter of Cool Aza Beel had placed in all four of her starts before clearing maiden ranks, including three solid efforts at Ellerslie. “She’s a filly that we’ve always liked and hadn’t done much wrong in her four previous starts, so she deserved that win last week,” Richardson noted. “We’ve had a race like the Eight Carat in the back of our minds for a while, and now that she’s cleared maiden grade, she deserves her chance at black-type now.” Both fillies are well-credentialed as New Zealand Bloodstock graduates and hold nominations for the lucrative TAB Karaka Millions 3YO and NZB Kiwi. Lollapalooza, an $30,000 Book 2 purchase, has already amassed just under $250,000 in earnings from seven starts. Fleeting Star, secured for $80,000 out of Book 1, is raced in part by the Richardson Racing Syndicate, adding extra satisfaction to her progress. Preparation continues apace for the Eight Carat. “She had two weeks off after getting home from Christchurch and her work since coming back in has been very good,” Richardson said of Lollapalooza. “She’ll run in the special trial before the first race here on Friday and that should top her off nicely for Boxing Day. Vinnie stays on her, and we’ve booked Opie for Fleeting Star.” Richardson and Norvall will take a small team to their home meeting this Friday, but one runner has caught the eye. “The best of ours is Buccino,” Richardson said. “She kicks off a new campaign in one of the maiden 1200 races. She’s a five-year-old now with a bit of experience, and has been placed in half her starts. With her maturity and how she’s coming to hand, her turn can’t be far away.”
