RIDING PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Warren Kennedy

It was yet another big week for NZ Jockey Premiership leader, Warren Kennedy. Across four race meetings last week, Kennedy rode 9 winners, which started with 4 winners on Melbourne Cup Day at Pukekohe. Amongst these 4 winners, Warren Kennedy won 4 feature races, headlined by the popular Gr.1 win by Crocetti in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 51^st New Zealand 2000 Guineas. Other notable winners included Aquacade, Habana & Nest Egg, who all won Listed races under Warren Kennedy last week.

TRAINING PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Lance Noble

It’s no mean feat for any stable to win four races at one meeting, let alone a stable with only 17 in training. Lance Noble did just that at Pukekohe last Tuesday, where he picked up 4 winners, 3 of which were in succession, including both feature races on the day. Highly talented gallopers, Aquacade and Habana, took out the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes and Fulton Family Stakes (L) respectively. About Time and Flamebird were also very impressive winners on the day for Noble, who along with owners Cambridge Stud, had a Melbourne Cup Day to remember.

Futures Follow

Aljay

It’s hard to argue that Aljay wasn’t the run of the race in the Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (L). With jockey Tina Comignaghi unable to find cover early in the race aboard Aljay, the pair found themselves three-wide without cover for the majority of the 2600m staying journey. Despite working hard throughout, Aljay had the audacity to keep coming all the way to the line, only going down by a 0.6L margin on the line. If Aljay can back up from this tough run, he would have to be right in the mix for the Martin Collins 160^th New Zealand Cup on Saturday.

Smart Debut

Velocious

Stephen Marsh and Go Racing look to have a very promising filly on their hands, in the form of 2yo filly, Velocious. The daughter of Written Tycoon got away evenly from the wide draw, before being eased back to find a position shortly after. Once Sam Spratt guided the filly into clear air turning, Velocious stretched out like a very good horse late, reeling in the leaders to claim a debut victory. The clock backed up her performance, with Velocious running the fastest closing 800m, 600m, 400m of the meeting. 

Classy Customer

Babylon Berlin

Babylon Berlin resumed in fine fashion at Te Rapa on Saturday, reminding us that she may well be the country’s best sprinter whilst Imperatriz is in Australia. The 59kg impost wasn’t enough to stop Babylon Berlin, as she held her rivals comfortably enough at the line under a very heady ride from Courtney Barnes. This season looks like it could be her turn for Group 1 success, as her current opposition will only find it tougher to beat her under WFA conditions.