Almanzor - New Winner

A pair of fillies moved into prominent positions on the order of entry for the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) with impressive winning performances over the weekend.

Expensive Snitzel colt Cash made the best possible start to his career in the Hygain Tracktorque Maiden Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor played a starring role at Flemington on Anzac Day, siring the quinella in the A$200,000 Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) with his three-year-old daughters Ahuriri and Alma Rise.

Well-bred filly Love Poem will take on some of the best of her generation for the second time in a week when she lines up in Saturday’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm 52nd New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.

New Zealand raider Dionysus will attempt to secure stakes success for his connections when he heads to Newcastle on Saturday to contest the Listed The New Zealand Bloodstock Beauford (2300m).

The quality on offer in the 404-lot strong catalogue of NZB’s 2024 Ready to Run Sale due to kick off next week, is further boosted by the eligibility of 28 Karaka Millions nominated lots on offer. 

Keeneland’s 81st November Breeding Stock Sale closed Wednesday following nine days of vibrant trade from a global buying bench that yielded healthy across-the-board gains, led by gross sales through the ring of $187.5 million and a record median of $40,000 to signal continued buyer confidence and market stability.

Winning a Group 1 after just two starts is a monumental feat, but there's a filly in Saturday's Schweppes One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield who is ready to take on the challenge.

A competitive 1350m maiden for 3-year-olds to start the Canterbury night series with an impressive winner in Scorching Legend, who came with a barnstorming finish from last.

Riccarton racegoers could be in for a treat on Saturday when they get to witness one of the burgeoning rivalries in New Zealand racing come to a head.