NZ Trial Watcher

Missing in action: The stars that won’t be seen this spring carnival A New Zealand Oaks winner from the Chris Waller camp is among a host of Group-class horses that won’t feature in Melbourne or Sydney this spring carnival due to injury or retirement. OUT INJURED OR ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL 2025 G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Leica Lucy will miss the spring after undergoing surgery following a pair of underwhelming Sydney barrier trials in August.

Busuttin’s Derby smokey, while Cox Plate the dream for gun 3YO By James Lamb It’s all systems go towards the G1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) for the Busuttin and Young-trained Blind Raise, but the stable also has other Group 1 assignments in mind for the son of Ace High. An impressive first-up winner of the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1300m) at Sandown Hillside on Saturday, Busuttin told New Zealand Trial Watcher that Blind Raise still has a stack of improvement to come.

Jockey Lachlan Neindorf admits he mentally ‘checked out’ during his first riding stint in Victoria and lost the respect of key racing industry figures. The gun South Australian apprentice joined the Freedman’s Pinecliff operation in 2020 with high hopes of making an immediate impact in Melbourne. However, winners were hard to come by, opportunities dried up, and Neindorf’s confidence and motivation evaporated.

Numbers to note: Track Specialists – Where stables shoot the straightest By James Lamb ‘Horses for courses’ is an old racing cliche but it’s an idiom that can provide a genuine edge for punters. Some stables strike well above their mean at certain tracks, going from a 10% average to as high as 50%. The below is based on data from the 2025/26 racing season, starting with a handful in New Zealand before highlighting the key track specialists in Victoria.

‘More depth this year’: Walker outlines Group 1 plans for Te Akau stars There is no bigger name in New Zealand thoroughbred racing than Te Akau. Runaway winners of last season’s trainers’ premiership, Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have surged to an even greater mark in 2025/26 – currently sitting 35 wins clear of their nearest rival. Come August 1, David Ellis’ tangerine army will have 13 NZ trainers’ premierships in the trophy cabinet, which is Chris Waller-levels of supremacy.

‘Weren’t there to win’: Stewards investigating post-race comments By James Lamb A Trackside NZ post-race interview has caught the attention of Riccarton Park stewards, who are looking into comments made by winning jockey Jasmine Fawcett. The incident occurred following Mr Fortrus’ victory in the Polytrack Championship (1200m) at Riccarton Park Synthetic last Wednesday, August 5.

McEvoy reveals secrets to high strike rate, outlines spring plans By James Lamb The 2025/26 racing season was the stuff of dreams for trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy, culminating in a mantlepiece fill-up at The Victorian Racing Awards. Their Cups hero and stable star Half Yours took out Horse of the Year, Calvin was recognised as the state’s Rising Star trainer, and they also won the Most Outstanding Training Performance for the Cups double.

Two stable stars ruled out for the spring but Kennewell holding strong Coolmore hand By James Lamb It’s been a while between Group 1s for Lloyd Kennewell, Viddora’s 2018 Moir Stakes win being the latest, but the Cranbourne trainer is upbeat about the depth of his stable this season. Unfortunately a couple of his potential stars won’t be seen in the spring (more on that later), but Kennewell has a pair of colts he believes can give the Coolmore Stud Stakes an almighty shake.

Mature Cartwright looking to keep the streak alive with NZ’s best horse By James Lamb As the jockey entrusted with keeping Well Written’s unbeaten streak alive, Matthew Cartwright admits he feels some added pressure ahead of the glamour mare’s return this Saturday. New Zealand’s most exciting galloper is an even-money favourite for the Group 1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie as she looks to make it seven from seven for trainer Stephen Marsh.

Six horses that can win their first Group 1 in 2026/27 By James Lamb The racing season is drawing to a close, which means attention will soon turn to the spring carnival. Here are half-a-dozen gallopers we believe can break through for their maiden Group 1 win next racing season (2026/27). 1.