Racing to remember The Queen on Saturday

The Thoroughbred Racing industry will acknowledge Her Majesty The Queen’s passing at its two race meetings on Saturday.

A moment’s silence will be observed at 11.30am at both Ruakaka and Hastings, with jockeys wearing black armbands throughout both meetings as a further mark of respect.

Queen Elizabeth II had a lifelong passion for thoroughbreds, and this saw her ownership interests spread across the world.  New Zealand-born Chris Waller currently prepares Chalk Stream, who has raced in Her Majesty’s distinctive racing colours from Waller’s Rosehill stable. The Sea The Stars gelding holds a nomination for the .

“It is only fitting that New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing commemorates Her Majesty’s love of racing given it is something we have all been able to share with her,”  NZTR chief executive Bruce Sharrock said.

“The Queen was the Patron of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, opening their Ellerslie office during her 1990 visit to New Zealand.  That interest in our breeding industry has also seen NZTR provide Her Majesty with a special edition of every printing of the New Zealand Stud Book throughout her reign.”

The Queen made 10 visits to New Zealand and where possible her Kiwi itineraries accommodated an opportunity to recognise her devotion to all things thoroughbred, including time spent at Cambridge Stud, during Sir Patrick Hogan’s era. Queen Elizabeth II was also seen on course at race meetings across the country with Ellerslie, Te Rapa, Trentham, and Riccarton among those to host her. 

“Footage of The Queen at race meetings always seemed to show her at her most relaxed, and she clearly enjoyed a day at the races,” Sharrock said.

“On Saturday we will remember her, not only as the monarch, but as one of the great participants of our sport.”

Kolding to resume at Rosehill

After a false start last weekend, Kolding will kick-off his spring preparation in the Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Ocean Park gelding was scratched from last week’s Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) after the track came up heavy at Randwick, and trainer Chris Waller has been pleased with the way Kolding has continued to work.

“His work has been good. Hopefully we get a Soft6 or better for him,” Waller said.

“He has come back well. He found form at the end of last prep when he was on better tracks.

“That will be the key to his success through the spring.”

Fellow Kiwi-bred Atishu will also be first-up in the Theo Marks Stakes and will carry the familiar Go Racing silks.

“She has come back well, but she hasn’t drawn that well (10). She just needs a touch of luck but she will be rattling home,” Waller said.

Adding to Waller’s Kiwi-bred contingent, Osipenko will resume in the Gr.3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) after pleasing in his first preparation when winning on debut at Rosehill in June and finished runner-up in his second outing prior to a spell.

“He was good during the winter, the form out of that race (that he won) is pretty good,” Waller said.

“He has come back in good shape.”

Waller’s New Zealand-bred runners will be rounded out by Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) winner Mana Nui over 1500m.

“It was a much better run first-up (fifth), hopefully he can repeat that,” Waller said.