More in store

Leading jockey Tommy Berry believes Signore Fox (Exceed And Excel) can make his mark at a higher level.

They came from a mile back in the field on the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained 4-year-old to claim the Listed Fugen Construction Razor Sharp H.

“It was a bit closer than I wanted. He won well and he can definitely go on to better things,” Berry said.

Signore Fox arrived in the nick of time to collar the front-running outside Oriental Runner (Hussonet {USA}).

Lilikoi too good

Matamata visitor Lilikoi (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) showed she was on track for further age group riches this summer with a comprehensive victory in Saturday’s G3 Lawnmaster Eulogy S. at Awapuni.

The Sir Peter Vela-bred and raced filly thrived on the step up to 1600 metres as she dashed away to register a comfortable 2l victory.

“That was fantastic to see her win like that for Sir Peter and the result of a plan we put together after she had won her maiden race at Taupo back in September,” trainer Jamie Richards said.

“This one is a leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year series, which is an ideal series to target as it lets the fillies compete against their own sex in some very nice races.”

Rodd leads NSW to victory

Singapore-based rider Michael Rodd lifted New South Wales to victory in the fifth annual Origin Jockeys Series at Eagle Farm.

Rodd rode a winner, a second and a third to help in the three heats lift the NSW team, which included Kathy O'Hara, to a clear win.

The series was cut from five to three heats after two races were lost on the first day with a wash out at Doomben.

NSW finished with 13 points to beat Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania who all ended up on 10 points. South Australia was next on eight with New Zealand on six.

Overdue strike

Former Godolphin gelding Morton’s Fork (Ad Valorem {USA}) successfully stepped up to 2400 metres for the first time in Saturday's Listed Christmas Cup at Randwick for an overdue victory.

"He's been threatening to win for about five years," trainer Richard Litt said. "It's about time. We're delighted with him."

The victory was Morton's Fork's first since Litt took over his training at the start of his current campaign.

He has been racing consistently over middle-distances without winning and Litt has been waiting to step him out over a staying trip.

"We have and those races just hadn't come up," Litt said. "He has never run over 2400 metres and he relished it.”

Back on track

Seasons (Sebring) bounced back from a first-up flop to score a determined victory at her home track of Randwick.

The mare disappointed at her return from a lengthy break when she was caught wide and finished down the track over 1000 metres at Kembla Grange last month.

Trainer Les Bridge blamed himself for the poor run and said in hindsight, it was the wrong race for the mare, who showed her true colours to claim the UNSW H. on Saturday.

"A good trainer makes mistakes, but learns from them," Bridge said. "They all gave her away off one run, but she is a good mare."

Julius back in business

Towering sprinter Julius (NZ) (Swiss Ace) completed a dream comeback from injury with victory in the G3 J Swap Contractors Sprint at Te Rapa.

He was making his second appearance since returning from a year off after suffering a tendon injury and had finished fourth when resuming last month.

“It’s a very satisfying win, the team have put a lot of work into him,” trainer John Bell said. “To have him back is just great.”

The G1 Sistema Railway S. at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day is the next target for Julius, whose half-brother by Reliable Man (GB) will be in Westbury Stud’s draft as Lot 145 at next month’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

Golden plan

Superium (Verrazano {USA}) confirmed plans to head to next month’s rich Magic Millions raceday when he won the Ces H. at Randwick.

“I like him a lot, he’s a very talented horse and there’s plenty of upside to him,” trainer Joseph Pride said.

“I think you’ll see the best of him this preparation. He was bred by a smart man, Ross Williams, and we’ve got a plan to get to the Gold Coast.”

Superium has won twice from six appearances and was also first home in the G3 Up And Coming S. during the winter, but lost the race to True Detective (Shamus Award) on protest.

Heat rules Ascot out

Another race meeting fell foul of Australia’s contrasting weather patterns with extreme temperatures in Western Australia forcing the Ascot meeting on Saturday to be called.

The previous day a storm hit Brisbane and with it torrential rain that forced the meeting at Doomben to be abandoned after three races.

Strong staying effort

Justamaiz (NZ) (Guillotine {NZ}) passed his first major distance when he cruised to an all-the-way win in the G3 Sky City Hamilton Waikato Cup.

“He’s a pretty good stayer, he’s going great,” trainer David Greene said. “He’ll go to the City of Auckland Cup and then either go to the Wellington Cup or we’ll freshen him for the Herbie Dyke S. and the Auckland Cup.”

It was an eventful contest with In A Twinkling (Fastnet Rock), who was heavily supported off the back of his G3 Counties Cup win, ran off on the turn and finished a long last.

Group 1 hope

Promising 4-year-old Hypnos (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has the G1 Thorndon Mile at Trentham on his summer agenda.

He showed he was on target for that when the Ron and Fran Dixon-owned gelding won the Landmark Homes/Noel Eales Memorial at Awapuni.

“It’s a huge thrill as Ron and Fran were my first ever owners and 35 years is a long time in this industry,” co-trainer Roger James said. “We’ve had some good times.”

They include Group 1 successes with Tethys (NZ) (King’s Island {Ire}), Cronus (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) won the G1 Adelaide Cup and Hades (N) (Zabeel {NZ}) triumphed in the G1 New Zealand Derby.

Westbury Stud will offer a half-brother, Lot 206, to Hypnos by Redwood (GB) during Book 1 of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka next month.

Patient approach

Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman won’t be tempted to rush American Princess (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) back into action after she made a winning debut at Te Rapa in the Wentwood Grange Premier.

“She’s a brilliant little filly and very gutsy,” Forsman said. “She’s not a Karaka Million horse so we won’t be getting carried away and don’t need to put any pressure on her.”

The G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. is a possible longer-term target for American Princess.