Kingsclere Stables

15/11/2024

NEWCASTLE TEST FOR DIONYSUS

By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

New Zealand raider Dionysus will attempt to secure stakes success for his connections when he heads to Newcastle on Saturday to contest the Listed The New Zealand Bloodstock Beauford (2300m).

Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood had found it hard to place the seven-year-old gelding in New Zealand and looked offshore for potential targets and felt the Beauford presented as an ideal race.

“He was getting to the stage where he was hard to place here. He was high up in the handicaps and he is possibly not a true weight-for-age horse, he is not very big,” James said.

“A mile-and-a-half seems to be his pet distance and we spotted that one over there for him. He has come in okay at the handicap, it’s 2300m, we discussed it with the owner and thought it was worthy of having a go. Whenever we have lined him up over 2300m or 2400m he has almost never disappointed us. Hopefully I can be saying the same thing in another 48 hours.”

The son of Ocean Park, who was victorious in last year’s Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m), has settled in well across the Tasman and James said they will wait to see how he comes through his weekend run before making any further plans. “We will make a decision once we see the result,” he said.

Meanwhile, the stable’s multiple Group One winner Orchestral is enjoying some time in the paddock following an unsuccessful Melbourne Spring campaign, which resulted in a sixth placing in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) and 12th placing in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).

“She is home and in the paddock,” James said. “ I thought her first run was full of merit, she just never got room. Her second run was probably the worst run of her life. We couldn’t fault her after the run, it’s just one of those headscratchers.”

New Zealand targets await the daughter of Savabeel in autumn before a possible campaign in Australia.

“There are a lot of opportunities in New Zealand in the autumn, so we will certainly be staying here until we see what her form is like and then work out if we want to go to Aussie from there,” James said.

– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
📸: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

07/11/2024

🌟 Market Square takes out race nine, the Stella Artois Mdn 1600m at Pukekohe Park , giving us a double for the day. The consistent four year old son of Tavistock was green to the post but showed us there is certainly more to come. He breaks his maiden today after 5 starts with 3 placings.

Congratulations to owners and breeders R A Craddock and A D Harris. And a big thanks again to George Rooke for another superb ride. We are very lucky to have some talented international jockeys joining our riding ranks in NZ 💪🏻

🎥 : https://loveracing.nz/Common/SystemTemplates/Modal/Video.aspx?v=http%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202411%2fM2_AUCK_R09_071124.mp4&i=%2fCommon%2fImage.ashx%3fw%3d565%26h%3d314%26a%3d1%26o%3d1%26z%3d1%26bg%3deeeeee%26p%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202411%2fM2_AUCK_R09_071124.jpg&r=Race%209%20-%20STELLA%20ARTOIS%201600&rs=1&jwsource=cl

07/11/2024

🧡 George Rooke gets the job done in R4 with Osteria winning by two lengths to break his maiden. The pair take out the Rich Hill Stud Mdn 3yo over 1200m at Pukekohe Park this afternoon.

The three year old gelding by Ribchester was bred and owned by Barneswood Farm and records his first win today from five starts. Congratulations to Sarah and the team from Barneswood Farm and a big thanks to George Rooke for the winning ride.

Catch the replay here: https://loveracing.nz/Common/SystemTemplates/Modal/Video.aspx?v=http%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202411%2fM2_AUCK_R04_071124.mp4&i=%2fCommon%2fImage.ashx%3fw%3d565%26h%3d314%26a%3d1%26o%3d1%26z%3d1%26bg%3deeeeee%26p%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202411%2fM2_AUCK_R04_071124.jpg&r=Race%204%20-%20RICH%20HILL%20STUD%201200&rs=1&jwsource=cl

29/10/2024

ORCHESTRAL TAKING ON EMPIRE ROSE

By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Orchestral had her name up in lights during the autumn in Sydney, and on Saturday she will step out on the big stage at Flemington as a key hope in the A$1 million Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).

The daughter of Savabeel had an incredible three-year-old campaign with highlighted victories in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) before asserting herself among the top fillies in Australasia when capturing the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.

Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood emphasised their focus on the autumn in her four-year-old year with a light spring campaign on the cards, and in her first start in Victoria on October 12 she pleased with a sixth placed finish in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).

“We were very happy, she just lacked any room or luck when we needed,” Wellwood said.

“When she did get clear air, she really rushed at the line and closed well late. Caufield was probably always going to be a hard track for her, so we’re really looking forward to seeing her at Flemington.”

Having settled well into life across the Tasman, Orchestral had an opportunity to take a lookaround the iconic racecourse prior to her elite-level assignment.

“She’s a pretty fit mare now, she galloped on the course proper at Flemington and had easy work, running 1.11,” Wellwood said.

“Declan Bates rode her and was very pleased with her and how she pulled up.

“She’s really thriving now, licking the bin and ticking every box you want to see ticked.”

The Empire Rose has a glowing recent history for Kiwi-bred mares and Orchestral will aim to join the likes of Icebath, Melody Belle, Shillelagh and I Am A Star as victors in Saturday’s contest, where she will be ridden by Mark Zahra.

In the early TAB New Zealand market, Orchestral is a $5 second-favourite for the Empire Rose, with fellow Savabeel mare Atishu on top at $4.50.

Closer to home on Wednesday, Wellwood will head to Te Aroha with Osteria, aiming to better a quartet of placings so far in his career in the Donaghy’s Uddermax 1200.

The Ribchester three-year-old started his career in the care of Peter and Dawn Williams andwas a part of the talented Barneswood Farm-raced contingent that transferred to James and Wellwood upon their retirement.

“We were very fortunate to get the Barneswood horses from Peter and Dawn, they really liked him and he showed nice ability in the few starts they had him as a two-year-old,” Wellwood said.

“They probably had the same opinion that he was a bit green and needed a bit of ringcraft, but he’s come in lovely order.

“He’s a horse that has done a couple of things wrong, but he’s getting there and has matured a lot physically.

“Apart from a niggly wide draw (9), I really like his chances tomorrow.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

📸: Orchestral is set to contest Saturday’s A$1 million Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. Photo: Natasha Wood (Race Images)

20/10/2024

PROGRESSIVE MARE ON SONG AT ELLERSLIE

By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Progressive mare Arabian Songbird took a step up in grade all in her stride at Ellerslie on Saturday, powering to victory in the Barfoot and Thompson 1600.

The daughter of Pierro commenced her racing career in the care of Peter and Dawn Williams, and following their retirement, entered the stable of Roger James and Robert Wellwood, of whom she made a winning debut for at the venue last month.

Remaining in the hands of jockey Masa Hashizume, Arabian Songbird jumped positively from her wide barrier and found a comfortable position off the fence midfield, with Val Di Zoldo dictating terms off the front.

Drawing wider on the home turn, Arabian Songbird began to wind up and set off to hunt down Val Di Zoldo and Bourbon Empress, scorching home in the final 200m to score by a length to the latter, with Jolted running home well to fill the first three.

James indicated the Cambridge partnership had been on a fact-finding mission the contest, with the performance putting her in good stead for future assignments.

“It was a big jump up in class from her last start and was going to be a test as to where her future lies, it was a good field with well-backed and well-fancied runners,” he said.

“If we could be competitive, that would auger well for her future, and she was able to make that jump and do so impressively.

“Peter said that he rated her early on but then her form deteriorated later in the season, so he put her out to spell.

“We were the lucky ones to get her in lovely order after a long spell.”

Arabian Songbird will remain in Rating 75 company at her next appearance, and beyond that, James is happy to allow until next autumn before entering the pressures of potential stakes racing.

“She’s a filly with a pedigree and obviously when she gets to the right stage in her career, we would be looking for some black-type to make her as a broodmare,” he said.

“I do think she will be up to that but it’s one step at a time at this stage, she’s only had the two runs and is a little while away from that, so it is definitely an autumn assignment.

“While she’s racing well at a mile, I see no point leaving that distance. But, I have no doubt that 2000m will be well within her grasp.”

The four-year-old was bred by Jamieson Park and purchased by Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer of Barneswood Farm for $260,000 at the 2022 National Yearling Sales at Karaka. The owners also race her half-sister Saint Alice, a Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) winner and multiple Group Two-placegetter.

Arabian Songbird’s victory completed a double for James and Wellwood on the card, after winning the Head To Trackside.co.nz 1100 with Sweynesday.

Having just his third race day appearance, Sweynesday was fresh-up since winning his maiden in mid-April and was rated a $4.70 second-favourite behind Tossuforit.

Also ridden by Hashizume, the son of Sweynesse settled into a good rhythm in midfield and was cruising into the straight where Wind Of Change held him off until just prior to the line, where Sweynesday found a closing surge to get over the top by a long head.

“He was ultra-professional and was beautifully ridden yesterday by Masa,” James said.

“We were very happy with him going into this race and his form suggested he would be more than competitive, as he proved.
“Maturity as forced us to do that (be patient), but I think we will reap the benefits. He’s not a big fellow and has a good level of sprinting ability.

“He’ll quite possibly get 1400m, whether he could get a mile is questionable at this stage, but who knows.”

Sweynesday raced in the colours of his owners Falcon Racing, who purchased him for $80,000 out of Pertab Racing’s draft at the 2022 Ready To Run Sale. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

📸: Arabian Songbird winning the Barfoot and Thompson 1600 at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

19/10/2024

Arabian Songbird and Masa Hashizume ring in a double for the team at Ellerslie with a dominant performance in the Barfoot & Thompson 1600m.

Bought by Barneswood Farm Ltd at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2022 Book 1 Sale, she's turning into lovely mare for Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer. Congratulations 👏

19/10/2024

🥂 A great resuming run for Sweynesday at Ellerslie, winning the Head to Trackside.co.nz 1100m to be touted by presenters as 'one to follow this spring'.

Now a winner of two from three starts, congratulations to Falcon Racing and thanks to Masa Hashizume for a well-judged ride.

🎥 https://tinyurl.com/y5max7j8

09/10/2024

❤️ Give a little for Rahul.

Former Champion Indian Jockey Rahul Shinde who with his family call New Zealand home, suffered a major stroke on the way to work at one of the various racing stable jobs on Sunday 11th of August.

Rahul has a big presence in and around the Cambridge Thoroughbred Racing industry with early morning starts at Kingsclere stables, through to working at the Cambridge Training Centre during the day, and weekend work around a number of stables in Cambridge.

Rahul has always been there with a smile on his face doing whatever needs to be done. Now at the tender age of 51 he is facing a long and difficult recovery. Rahul is the main income earner which has created significant financial stress for his wife and children.

We encourage everyone who can, particularly in the Waikato racing community, to get behind Rahul and support his family in the difficult times ahead. Every dollar counts.

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/please-support-former-champion-indian-jockey-rahul?fbclid=IwY2xjawFyoDNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHWBreFp6YhZfaBDZ-DB1LNzKv6p5OBjFg_KxWrvNtwnpJzge67fWM_eK7g_aem_5zCUXiAVU_fW8i9Odb_1ew

Please support former Champion Indian Jockey Rahul Shinde who has suffered a major stroke.

07/10/2024

Congratulations Donavan, it’s fantastic to have you back in the jockey ranks and defying the odds! Inspirational.

Donavan Mansour pictured following his win aboard Mustang Valley at Tauranga on Saturday.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Mansour makes winning return Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk 6 October 2024 Donavan Mansour has defied the odds and has made a winning return to the saddle after a fiv...

07/10/2024

TOORAK TEST FOR ORCHESTRAL

By LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

New Zealand’s darling of the turf Orchestral is set to cross the Tasman this week to tackle the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

The four-year-old daughter of Savabeel had a standout three-year-old term, winning five consecutive races, including the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), Gr.2 Avondale Guineas and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), before heading to Sydney where she won the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and placed in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m).

She made her first public appearance this season at the Taupo trials in August where she placed in her 1100m heat behind Captured By Love and Dream Of The Moon, before heading north to Ellerslie to have her first start as a four-year-old in an Open 1400m where she finished eighth.

Roger James, who trains the mare in partnership with Robert Wellwood, was pleased with what he saw in her resuming run.
“I thought her performance was enormous up there. It’s fair to say that she was asked for a fair bit for her level of fitness,” he said.

“She came through it pretty well, but she has come forward the last week to 10 days.”

Orchestral had an exhibition gallop at Tauranga on Saturday to keep her up to the mark for her looming Melbourne trip, and James was pleased with her work.

“I am very happy,” he said. “I thought that was a sign that we are right on the button for where we want to be.

“All going well, she will be on a plane on Wednesday and run in the Toorak on Saturday.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

📸Orchestral is set to contest the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

21/09/2024

It was great to be back racing at Ellerslie today and with a winner too!

Arabian Songbird took out the last race in excellent style. She was on debut for us having previously been trained by Peter and Dawn Williams.

Congratulations to her owners Barneswood Farm Ltd, Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer and thanks to Masa Hashizume for the winning ride.

Watch the replay here: https://loveracing.nz/Common/SystemTemplates/Modal/Video.aspx?v=http%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202409%2fM2_AUCK_R08_210924.mp4&i=%2fCommon%2fImage.ashx%3fw%3d565%26h%3d314%26a%3d1%26o%3d1%26z%3d1%26bg%3deeeeee%26p%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202409%2fM2_AUCK_R08_210924.jpg&r=Race%208%20-%20SKYCITY%20HORIZON%201500&rs=1

20/09/2024

ORCHESTRAL ON SONG FOR SPRING CAMPAIGN

By LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Saturday will mark the return of racing to Ellerslie Racecourse and last season’s New Zealand Champion Three-Year-Old Orchestral.

The now four-year-old mare is unbeaten at the Auckland track in three starts, winning the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (1600m), and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). She subsequently went on to win the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and finished third in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m).

Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood have been pleased with the way she has returned, and have given her a trial at Taupo and jump-out at Ellerslie in the lead-up to her resuming run in the Almanzor – Proven Value 1400.

The daughter of Savabeel will carry 60.5kg from barrier six, with Craig Grylls aboard, two-kilograms less than Group One winner Campionessa. “It is good to be finally getting her out there and it’s nice to see a horse above her (in the weights). We thought we would be top weight,” Wellwood told Trackside.

“We have been pretty soft on her this spring, she has grown a lot between three and four. She looks a completely different mare now, she has got a big wither, she has probably lengthened out a little bit. She is probably only a frame of what she is going to be in six to 12 months.”

“She had a good jump-out at Ellerslie. We were thinking perhaps heading to the Arrowfield (Gr.1 1600m), but after that jump-out we thought if we tried to get her there we would probably flatten her first-up. That’s the reason she is going to Ellerslie. 1400m and you know you are going to get a good track there. It will bring her forward for her next run.”

Despite being a short-priced $2.20 favourite with TAB bookmakers, Wellwood believes 1400m will be too short for his charge this weekend. “We are going into the weekend pretty happy with her,” he said. “1400m is going to be too short for her, but as long as she is hitting the line well and comes through it well, heading to a mile and further into the prep is where we are hoping to be competitive.”

Australian targets beckon Orchestral post-Saturday, with the Cambridge trainers weighing up between either Sydney or Melbourne. “The two options that we are looking at are the Toorak (Gr.1, 1600m) in Melbourne, which is three weeks post Ellerslie, or four weeks to the Angst Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m), which is a mares’ mile in Sydney.”

Orchestral will be joined in Saturday’s contest by stablemate Sudbina, who is on a path towards New Zealand Cup Week at Riccarton Park in November. “She went nicely in her first run without a trial, so she is going to come along from that well. Her work has been very good and I think the race will suit her,” Wellwood said.
“She is ready to run a race and she is at a light weight (54kg). Whether she has got the class of the top two or three, we are unsure, but she is a nice mare and I think we are going to see her come into a nice race.”

“She has got a nomination for the TAB Mile (Gr.3, 1600m) at Riccarton, so we have got that pencilled in, but we are just going to have to see how she is going. There are a lot of nice races around and there are some good fillies and mares options over Christmas and New Year.”
– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

📸 : Orchestral on song for spring campaign. Photo: Race Images

17/09/2024

Last night on the Guerin Report, plans with our star mare Orchestral were revealed and confirmed. Definitely worth the watch ⬇️

This week on the Guerin Report, Michael is out at the Ellerslie race track to find out what went wrong last season and how it's shaping up for the new season...

08/09/2024

08/09/2024

We couldn't be prouder of Orchestral who picked up both the TAB NZ Champion 3YO and Entain Australia and New Zealand Champion Stayer at tonight's New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards ceremony. 👏

01/09/2024

Another of our former racehorses is excelling in her career after racing. This Ocean Park filly is looking very flash on the polo field for NZ rep player Nick Keyte. ❤️🤍

27/08/2024

SUDBINA SPRINGS INTO NEW CAMPAIGN AT CAMBRIDGE

By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Group Three winner Sudbina will make her raceday return at Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday, kicking off her new campaign in the Majestic Horse Floats 1300.

A daughter of Almanzor, Sudbina won a trio of races through her three-year-old term highlighted by success in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) over subsequent Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) winner Grail Seeker.

She was also fourth behind the likes of Lupo Solitario and her high-flying stablemate Orchestral in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) and had the same result behind Molly Bloom in the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m).

Roger James, who prepares Sudbina in partnership with Robert Wellwood, was more than happy with her overall performance in a period of learning for both the filly and her trainers.

“I thought she had a wicked season, she’s only a wee girl and was learning her trade as she went, and we were learning about her,” James said.

“To do what she did was excellent really, she’s won a Desert Gold and fourth in a Bonecrusher, so she’s done very well.

“She’s got plenty of length and scope about her, she’s never going to be big but she’s got a decent stride on her and I think we will look to place her carefully later on, where she doesn’t have to carry too much weight.”

Sudbina brings a class factor to the Rating 75 contest where apprentice Triston Moodley will claim two kilograms off her 57-kilogram impost, in a race James sees as a nice starting point for the spring.

“She hasn’t had a trial, so whatever she does on Wednesday, you would think there would be quite a lot of improvement there, but class does often come through and she does know the synthetic having trialled on it before,” he said.

“She’s too good to not be in the hunt, but whether she can win, that’s another question.

“A mile is possibly her best distance but who knows, she’s still getting there maturity-wise and I don’t see her being a mature horse until the autumn.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

📸: Sudbina will contest Wednesday's Majestic Horse Floats 1300 at Cambridge. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

25/08/2024

We love seeing our former racehorses excel in their second careers. Congrats Georgie! ❤️

Congrats to Georgie & Contemplation (by So You Think, winner of 2 on the track and earnings of 130k when racing for the super Kingsclere Stables), for winning their first ESNZ event of the season. 🥇

Contemplation has also had successes in his first level 1 dressage starts too with impressive scores of 70 & 77%! 👏

Photo purchased from Michelle Clarke. 📸