Ellerslie race-by-race preview & betting tips | March 8, 2025
New Zealand's richest ever race day, Champions Day 2025, awaits punters at Ellerslie on Saturday, March 8. Check out HorseBetting's race-by-race tips here.
Tag: 'Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray'
Faultless preparation has Tuxedo ready for New Zealand Derby
Shaune Ritchie couldn’t have wished for a smoother run with Tuxedo into Saturday’s $1.25 million Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).
Loftys Gift lands Dunedin Gold Cup upset
Four weeks on from a brave second in the Gore Cup, Loftys Gift delivered again for her connections at Wingatui and went one better in...
Tuxedo too good in Group 2 Waikato Guineas
A dominant performance in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday has thrust Tuxedo into Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m)...
Nereus poised for Wellington Cup tilt
Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray will be out to complete their trio of New Zealand feature two-mile successes at Trentham on Saturday.
Pearl Of Alsace primed for Group 1 Thorndon Mile tilt
Pride Of Alsace will have conditions to suit on Saturday in her quest to add a major title to her CV before the curtain comes...
Pearl Of Alsace looking to end racing career on Group 1 high
Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray hope a return to Pearl of Alsace's favourite track might allow her to cap her CV with a Group One...
Tuxedo all class in Wellington Stakes
The Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray-trained Tuxedo stamped himself as an early New Zealand Derby prospect when winning the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m).
Nereus returns to winning ways in dramatic Counties Cup
Promising stayer Nereus put his current campaign back on track when he captured an action-packed Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) on Saturday.
Costae set for Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas challenge
Emerging filly Costae has taken the rarest of avenues to the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday.
Cup dream over for Mahrajaan
The New Zealand contingent for Tuesday’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup has been dealt a blow with the withdrawal of Mahrajaan on veterinary advice.
Mahrajaan to miss Moonee Valley Gold Cup due to insect bite
Kiwi Melbourne Cup hope Mahrajaan will miss this Friday night's Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) after suffering an insect bite at his Warrnambool...
Mahrajaan on target for Melbourne Cup tilt
Proven stayer Mahrajaan remains firmly on target for a crack at the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) despite the weather ruling out an intended lead-up...
Ruakaka return for Pearl Of Alsace
Pearl Of Alsace is back on track to open her spring campaign ahead of a later than originally anticipated involvement in the Hawke’s Bay Spring...
Mahrajaan to make low-key return at Ruakaka
With the ultimate two-mile contest now on the radar, Mahrajaan will appear for the first time this season at Ruakaka on Saturday.
All roads lead to the Melbourne Cup for Mahrajaan
Early trans-Tasman discussions have encouraged Shaune Ritchie to aim at Australasia’s top staying prize with his distance specialist Mahrajaan.
Eight Lucky Prawns out to break maiden at Cambridge
Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray are hoping a bit of luck can guide their three-year-old contender home on Wednesday at Cambridge’s Synthetic meeting.
Hong Kong audience celebrates 2YO success at Cambridge
Target Audience’s New Zealand racing career will be brief, but the youngster made it a memorable one with a debut victory at Cambridge on Wednesday.
Lofty the gift that keeps on giving at Wingatui
The winning roll of Lofty’s Gift continued at Wingatui on Sunday, the consistent mare going four in a row with a hard-fought victory in The...
Michael McNab to partner Nereus in Mornington Cup
New Zealand's champion jockey, Michael McNab, is poised to make his Victorian debut aboard Nereus in Saturday’s Mornington Cup (2400m).
Mahrajaan looking to cause Sydney Cup upset
He’s captured two of New Zealand’s biggest staying scalps and now Mahrajaan has crossed the Tasman to try and assert his dominance in Australia.
Nereus proves too strong in Awapuni Gold Cup
Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray continued an outstanding season with their stayers when up-and-coming star Nereus powered home to win the Group 2 Awapuni Gold...
Pearl Of Alsace on the hunt for Group 1 success
Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray have always had plenty of time for Pearl Of Alsace and they are hoping she can fulfil her Group One...
Firm deck to confirm in-form stayer’s Cup bid
Mahrajaan will be given the chance to showcase his staying ability in Australia next month, provided the weather comes to the party.
Nereus to chase black-type success
Stakes targets are beckoning Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray's exciting gelding Nereus following his win over a mile at Trentham on Saturday afternoon.