After being edged out by a nose by Tajana in a thrilling battle in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m) at Ellerslie four weeks ago, Lollapalooza will try to reverse that result in Saturday’s Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes over the same course and distance.

Kelly Van Dyk’s Prima Park Bloodstock will be represented on both sides of the Tasman this week, from the sales ring in Sydney to the big stage at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Te Akau has been forced to take an unconventional path to Ellerslie with Quintessa and are confident the high-class mare will strip in the best possible order, given the circumstances.

French jockey Corentin Berge had to wait longer than anticipated to partner Sicillian at the races, but he made that opportunity count at Arawa Park on Sunday, earning his first win on New Zealand soil.

Harness Racing legend Barry Purdon had a weekend to remember.

Cambridge trainer Shaun Phelan took special satisfaction from an all-the-way win by Pacheco in the $60,000 Poverty Bay Turf Club Cup (2600m) at Taupo on Friday.

Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott got a busy weekend off to a promising start with two wins at Taupo on Friday.

Trainer Kris Shailer’s name has been absent from the racebook for the last three years, but will make a return on Sunday at Arawa Park, albeit with a line running through it.

Proven mare Archaic Smile is looking to make her presence felt in the open ranks before a potential southern trip when she contests Saturday’s Gr.3 fastinternet.co.nz Spring Sprint (1400m) at Otaki.

Adverse weather has forced multiple Group One winner Quintessa to take an unorthodox route to next Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), with the mare appearing at the Awapuni trials on Monday afternoon.

Darren Danis is developing a knack for making a comeback from career-threatening injuries, but he is hoping his run of serious injuries is now at an end.

Progressive mare Afterglo got her preparation back on track in impressive style in the deteriorating conditions at Matamata on Saturday.

Lance Gussey is hoping to put a last-start disappointment behind him when Joshua Brown lines up in the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m) on Saturday.

Darrell Hollinshead has two strong chances at Matamata to continue the good run of recent form of his boutique stable.