Debutants Monday

It may have taken a little longer than desired, but enigmatic galloper Lanikai finally broke through for his maiden victory at Taupo in the Mort Weber – Good Sorts in Racing (1800m) on Monday bringing a timely pedigree update for his half-sister by Super Seth headed to Karaka Book 1.

The NZB Filly of the Year Series begins to take a different look with the sixth leg, the $270,000 Group Two Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

Bjorn Baker is never afraid to start a nice horse off in the country and he did it with Group I winners Overpass and Steffi Magnetica, with progressive Extreme Choice three year-old Stallone making it back to back wins at Orange on Monday when bolting clear to win by daylight.

A busy period of holiday racing has led to a shake up of the Magic Millions order of entry for the 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas with Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Gallo Nero zooming into contention, while unheralded three year-old Cosmic Force gelding Give Me Space put himself in the picture with a last to first win in the Group III BRC Vo Rogue Plate.

There is stakes racing on the last day of the year at Wyong with the running of the Group III Belle of the Turf Stakes (1625m) and Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m), which has the top weight Amazing Eagle, who is also high on the order of entry for the $3million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas on Saturday week.

Sunday’s RM300,000 Penang Gold Cup (2000m) was won in powerful come-from-behind style by Lucky Magic (NZ) (Mendelssohn), who was bought from the Karaka sale ring and also has a half-sister catalogued for Karaka 2025.

Black-type targets are in the offing for Cambridge mare Doddle after she took out the Harcourts Taupo Cup (2000m) on Monday.

Newhaven Park will present 40 yearlings at Magic Millions making them one of the larger vendors at the sale and two of the yearlings they sold in 2024 are well placed on the order of entry to take their place in the $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic in two weeks time.

Stakes performer Sugah Sweet showed she is back to her best when comfortably taking care of a handy line-up in the Poverty Bay Turf Club Cup (1400m) at Taupo on Monday.

Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.