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2026 NZB Kiwi one for the books

It may have been a lot closer than anticipated, but Well Written’s (Written Tycoon) victory in Saturday’s $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) was one for the books.The unbeaten Group One-winning filly was installed a hot favourite in the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race, jumping a money back favourite in the Champions Day feature at Ellerslie, with every other runner at double figure odds, headed by Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savabeel) at $17.90.The market proved accurate, with ...

Yulong’s Kiwi investment set to pay off on Champions Day

Burgeoning thoroughbred giant Yulong Investments has made a splash in New Zealand this season, buying up the nation’s top three-year-olds, and while they have already been rewarded with instant success, they are favoured to have plenty more on Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday.Zhang Yuesheng’s Victoria-based operation has purchased a quartet of Kiwi three-year-olds in the last six months, and they have tasted topline success courtesy of Well Written(Written Tycoon) in the Gr.1 New ...

Tyro trainer seeking special result on Matamata Breeders’ Stakes day

Tyro trainer Benji King has enjoyed the reflected glory from unbeaten filly Well Written (Written Tycoon), but on Saturday he will be out to generate his very own headlines with the star of his small team, Mid Ocean (NZ) (Ocean Park).King has become well known for selecting Well Written from a Melbourne weanling sale and on-selling her a year later to Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh through Dylan Johnson Bloodstock.Instead of being disappointed about the one that got away, he has taken...

King enjoys red-letter day at Ellerslie

Matamata horseman Benji King had a day to remember at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.He started the day off well when his promising mare Mid Ocean (NZ) (Ocean Park) scored in the Horizon By SkyCity 1400 in the colours of her breeder and co-owner Henrietta, Dowager Duchess of Bedford, and two races later Well Written (Written Tycoon), who he purchased and sold as a younger horse, continued her unbeaten streak when taking out the Gr.2 Jimmy Schick Shaw’s Auckland Guineas (1400m) for...

Collett all class in Kiwi return

Matamata was the setting for Samantha Collett’s first victory in the saddle, and on Sunday, she was back on the board at the course after a three-year stint riding in Australia.After winning three Group Ones in her homeland, Collett relocated to Queensland in October 2021 to ply her trade in Brisbane, where she rode over 150 winners and half a dozen of those at stakes level.She announced in May that she would be returning to New Zealand, and while not in any rush to return to riding, she was a...

King enjoying strong start with Mid Ocean

Benji King guided Mid Ocean (NZ) (Ocean Park) through every stage of her young life and the exciting filly has kicked off her racing career with a flourish, aiming to add another win to her record in Saturday’s Ancroft Developments (1400m).The diminutive daughter of Ocean Park won on debut at Taupo in late December, kicking clear of subsequent winner Cypher (NZ) (Darci Brahma), and then stepping up against the older horses in Rating 65 grade, she held her own finishing thir...