What better way to send off Cup Week than a massive 11-race card at Riccarton Park this Saturday highlighted by the 161st edition of the G3 New Zealand Cup. Last year’s runner-up Nest Egg is looking to go one better in 2024 while 2022 winner Aljay returns and is sure to have his share of supporters.

Kopua attended to unfinished business in style on the middle day of the New Zealand Cup carnival at Riccarton when he produced an irresistible finish to claim top honours in the main event on the card.

Tony Pike’s runners haven’t missed a beat in their bid to successfully execute a black-type double for the stable at Riccarton on Wednesday.

Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott are not short of sprinting talent in their Matamata stable, with four runners set to contest Saturday’s Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa.

Progressive mare Marotiri Molly made in three wins in a row when she overcame a chequered passage in the home straight to take out the Courtesy Ford Redcraze Bowl (1400m) at Trentham.

Arjay’s Flight will be out to keep his perfect record intact for new trainer Shaun Phelan when he heads to Trentham on Saturday to contest the Feilding Hotel 1600.

Lux Libertas kicked off her campaign in July as a maidener and on Saturday she will be given the opportunity to prove herself in Open company for the first time in the Financial Services 1300.

The road to Riccarton Park has not been an easy one for Savaglee, but the colt indicated he is right on track with a stunning performance in Wednesday’s transferred Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Aroha.

Savaglee’s path to his spring grand final will take another detour this week with Pam Gerard admitting to severe frustration with the disrupted preparation.

The Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) has produced all of the last six winners of the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), and Matamata trainer Ken Kelso would love to see that trend continue with his classy filly Alabama Lass.

Stephen Marsh has nine three-year-olds still nominated for either the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) or Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month, and six of them will contest Group races during the Labour Day long weekend.

Promising filly Acapelago will face her sternest test to date when she heads north to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m).

Englishman George Rooke is the newest addition to the ever-growing group of international riders in New Zealand.

A look at some of the standout breeze-up subjects ahead of the Inglis 2YO sale.