Back to Blog

Partnership in search of breakthrough Group One

The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Two Illicit has hardly put a foot wrong in her eight-start career to date, but the immensely talented four-year-old will face her toughest test to date when she contests Saturday’s star-studded Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings. Runner-up in last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Two Illicit was a brilliant fresh-up winner at Ellerslie over 1400m and James is pleased with his multiple Group Two winner who is the $6 third favourite ...

Sky Field on the Classic trail

Sky Field boosted his Hong Kong Classic Mile credentials with his second win of the term in the Class 3 Shanghai Handicap (1200m). The talented son of Deep Field, who was purchased out of Trelawney Stud's New Zealand Bloodstock draft as a yearling, was cuddled throughout the race by Moreira to score with plenty in hand – more than the official three quarters of a length –  rounding up his six rivals from the rear of the field in some style. But, while an exciting talent, the chestnut do...

Impressive Sky Field aims to keep on rising

The Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Field made a big statement to end last season and picked up this term exactly where he left off, dazzling with a first-up victory. He goes again in Thursday’s Class 3 Shanghai Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin but his handler is being level-headed about his chances despite his exciting young gun taking on a field of only six opponents. “He’s a horse with a lot of upside – he’ll carry 133 pounds on the weekend and even though it’s a small field, in this game yo...

Star of the Seas strong in George Main

Chris Waller claimed a seventh Gr.1 George Main Stakes (1600m) crown at Randwick last Saturday, scoring the trifecta in the race with Kolding, Star of the Seas and Imaging. Although there is no denying the quality of Kolding, it could be argued that Star Of The Seas probably could have won after getting on heels halfway down the straight and giving up a couple of lengths before launching late to just miss.“Star Of The Seas has been beaten by a good horse in Kolding,’...

Moore aiming high with Sport Genius

Trainer Nick Moore has mapped out an ambitious program for his exciting four year Sport Genius who showed great determination in scoring a last stride win over the hot favorite Diamond Moonlight, in Saturday’s Class 3 over 1050m in Macau.With regular rider Luis Corrales in the saddle, Sport Genius after a tardy beginning soon mustered speed to sit at the girth of Diamond Moonlight.  It was obvious before the turn that it was just a two horse affair with the two runners singling out f...

Bebe Wins Back to Back

Well-bred mare Vamos Bebe brought up consecutive wins on Saturday when successful in the Remember 'Jooky' 1200 at Hastings. Following a clear-cut Maiden victory over 1200m on earlier this month at Avondale, Vamos Bebe extended her record to two wins and two seconds from four starts for owners Brent & Cherry Taylor of Trelawney Stud and Faith Taylor.Ridden again by leading jockey Danielle Johnson, Vamos Bebe drew awkwardly in barrier 10 but after securing a decent trip in eighth she was...

Loire returns in Tarzino

Class mare Loire will make her raceday return in Saturday's Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday.The daughter of Redoute's Choice has drifted from $34 to $51 with TAB Bookmakers.“We were discussing her price this morning and maybe it’s the wide gate (15 of 16), I am not quite sure why she is so long in the market,” Pike said. “Her trial at Ruakaka was very good and her work through the week has been outstanding. “That gate restricts her options a wee bit, but she general...

Trelawney represented at Inglis Ready To Race Sale

Strong New Zealand ties will see Lime Country’s Jo and Greg Griffin venture into new territory as first-time vendors at the Inglis 2020 Ready 2 Race Sale on October 20.“This is not a sale that we would typically be active at, however, with COVID 19 restricting the ability for Kiwis to be present at the sale, we decided it was a time to lend a helping hand,” explained Jo.“We had discussions with Champion New Zealand breeder Trelawney Stud and with proven Ready 2 Run specialist R...

Emerging talent Sky Field impresses

Sky Field scored a dazzling victory in the Class 3 Hung Hom Handicap (1200m) in Hong Kong on Sunday, demonstrating an electrifying turn-of-foot in the straight to make a big statement for jockey Joao Moreira and trainer Caspar Fownes. The Deep Field four-year-old, who was sold out of Trelawney Stud's 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 draft, didn’t enjoy the easiest of passages but once clear in the straight he was able to stretch out and win with plenty in hand to cement his status as a leadi...

Two Illicit makes stunning return at Ellerslie

The cream rose to the top late in the day at Ellerslie when four-year-old mare Two Illicit issued a powerful statement to her spring rivals with a commanding fresh-up victory over 1400m on Saturday. Racing in the Trelawney Stud silks, Two Illicit is raced by Brent and Cherry Taylor, Faith Taylor, Jane Taylor and Scott Malcolm. A multiple stakes winner during a three-year-old campaign that culminated in a runner-up finish in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Two Illicit was kicking off her spri...

The Bostonian ruled out of spring

Triple Group One winning sprinter The Bostonian will miss the remainder of the spring after suffering a fetlock injury in a gallop on Thursday. The Tony Pike-trained sprinter has been campaigning in Sydney but will return home to New Zealand for a spell. “Unfortunately, he pulled up a little bit short in front after a gallop on Thursday morning,” Pike said. “We have taken some x-rays of his front fetlock and with a bit of inflammation in there it looks like he has taken a small piece off h...

Sky Field on Hong Kong Classic Mile trail

Sky Field (Deep Field) made a big statement before the break between seasons and this Sunday at Sha Tin he readies for his return in the Class 3 Hung Hom Handicap (1200m), with the Four-Year-Old Classic Series on his radar.“It’s a big season for him, so I’m treating him like a horse with a lot of potential and the type of horse that I would train for the Hong Kong Classic Mile – that’s my target with him this season, so he’ll be progressing distance-wise,” trainer Caspar Fowne...

Star Kingsclere mares kick-off spring campaigns

A trip to Taupo to bring on the fitness of talented mares Two Illicit and Concert Hall has received a hearty tick of approval from Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood. The Kingsclere training partnership couldn't have been happier with the gallop, or the hospitality, with the pair provided with "delicious" scones, topped with jam and cream. "The Taupo club excels. They've got a wonderful committee and they're very fortunate that they are placed in an area that lets them provide go...

More in store for Vamos Bebe

Well-related four-year-old mare Vamos Bebe broke maiden ranks in style at Avondale on Wednesday over 1200m. The Trelawney Stud-owned daughter of I Am Invincible had finished second at her two starts prior to her breakthrough win. Trained by Jamie Richards, the mare travelled like the winner a long way out under a positive Danielle Johnson ride. “She has always promised to do that,” Richards said. “Her trials and her first two runs have been good. “She’s a filly that has battled with a...

The Bostonian to be freshened for sprint

It may have taken plenty of effort and sacrifice, but Cambridge trainer Tony Pike finally has his temporary Sydney satellite barn in operation. Stable foreman Chris McNab and trackwork rider Matthew Ward have undergone their mandatory two week quarantine period in Sydney after receiving travel exemptions to head across the Tasman earlier this month. While the pair missed stable runner The Bostonian’s opening assignment, the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) a week ago, they welcomed him to their tempor...

Jay Ford grabs G1 chance on The Bostonian

Trelawney Stud graduate The Bostonian has been backed into favouritism for the Gr.1 Winx Stakes at Randwick and trainer Tony Pike can only add fuel to the fire. "Things are falling into place. The soft track, gate one and his fresh-up record is obviously enticing some punters to think he's a strong winning chance in the race," Pike said of the Jimmy Choux gelding who was born and raised at Trelawney Stud for breeder/owner David Archer. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Pike will watch the rac...

No end of Affair in sight

The lush green paddocks of Trelawney Stud are ready and waiting, but trainer Jason Ong feels there is no need to put old boy War Affair (NZ) (O’Reilly x Kristique) out to pasture just yet. At 10, most of his fellow competitors, especially the high achievers, would have long left the racing game, but the 16-time winner and multiple- Singapore feature is still going strong at Kranji. This Sunday, the 2014 Singapore Horse of the Year will, at his 42nd start, go off as the veteran among the 16 hor...

AUDIO: Tony Pike

Andrew Bensley speaks with trainer Tony Pike to get the latest on The Bostonian, who was born and raised at Trelawney Stud, who heads to the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick Saturday week. https://soundcloud.com/nz-racing-desk/tony-pike...

Two Illicit on target for Hastings

Trelawney Stud's Two Illicit trialled over 1100m at Taupo on Wednesday and co-trainer Robert Wellwood was happy enough with what he saw. Group One performer Two Illicit ran fifth in her heat behind multiple Group One winner Avantage. While Wellwood, who trains in partnership with Roger James, would have liked to have seen Two Illicit tested more in her trial, he is pleased with her progress this preparation. “I am happy enough with the way she went,” he said. “It would have been nice...

Two Illicit honoured at Wellington Awards

Two Illicit, who races in the Trelawney Stud silks, picked up the supreme award at the Wellington Branch of the NZTBA awards evening held last Thursday. Breeding Excellence Awards were presented to the breeders of six stakes winners, including Wellington branch member Faith Taylor who is the co-breeder/owner dual Group Two winner Two Illicit. Two Illicit, who is yet to run out of the money in seven starts, was also the recipient of the Horse of The Year trophy, an award that Taylor was pleasantl...

Lightly-raced Diva set for midweek return

Brent, Cherry and Faith Taylor are hoping it's a case of patience afforded equates to patience rewarded when the lightly-raced mare Juan Diva resumes at Canterbury on Wednesda. The daughter of Snitzel was a pre-post favourite for a race at Randwick on Saturday but the task of an outside gate on the heavy-rated track prompted co-trainers Michael and Richard Freedman to scratch on race morning. "Her best form has been on firmer tracks, that's why she was scratched on Saturday. We didn't want to go...

Hughes eyeing bigger prize with impressive debutant

Impressive triallist Show Bazz (NZ) (Showcasing) made an eye-catching debut when he trounced his maiden rivals over 1200m at Ashburton on Saturday. The Showcasing three-year-old had won a 1000m trial at Motukarara back in January and backed that up post the COVID19 lockdown with another comfortable victory at Rangiora in June over 850m. Co-trainer Kevin Hughes, who prepares the gelding with wife Pam, wasn’t keen to line his charge up on the heavy surfaces presented at their home base at Riccar...

Sultan still has his swing

Rising eight-year-old Sultan Of Swing showed he still has the zest for racing when winning a 900m trial at Te Rapa on Tuesday and the Shaune Ritchie-trained gelding is on target for an early season feature. A Group One placegetter and winner of 10 races, Sultan Of Swing will be aimed at the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Foxbridge Plate (1200m) back at Te Rapa on September 5 and could have a raceday outing before that. “He hasn’t raced since he ran second to Melody Belle in the Tarzino (Gr.1, 1400m) las...

Spring Carnival up in the air for NZ contenders

Multiple Group One winner The Bostonian is set to head to Sydney next month, but whether he will race under trainer Tony Pike’s name is still up in the air. The Cambridge trainer, who also heads the New Zealand Trainer’s Association, has been in discussions with an Australian immigration expert, however, there is still no clarity as to whether any of his staff members can gain an exemption to enter Australia. “At this stage there is no problems in getting the horses across, but with what h...

Sebring filly scores at Kembla Grange

Consistent filly Space is Deep added another win to her tally when successful at Kembla Grange on Thursday. The Chris Waller-trained three-year-old has been on the improve this campaign having won in June, before finishing third at her last start when contesting an 1880m race at Newcastle. Space is Deep, ridden by Tommy Berry, was stepping up to 2000m for the first time on Thursday and delivered a last to first performance to win the BM64 event after charging past her rivals on the straight to w...