Matt Cartwright announced his arrival among the top echelon of New Zealand’s jockeys with a stunning treble on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival at Hastings on Saturday, culminating in a giant-killing Group One win with Grail Seeker in the Tarzino Trophy (1400m).

Ciaron Maher stablemates Sergeant Major and Extreme Diamond will clash in a Stakes races at Moonee Valley.

The Barneswood Farm team are waiting with bated breath as their Group One winner Desert Lightning gets set to make his debut for new trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman at The Valley on Saturday.

Cambridge thoroughbred nursery Wentwood Grange were thrilled to watch farm graduate Quintessa add to her burgeoning record when victorious first-up in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Under-rated Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb took her career to all-new heights last season, and a smart fresh-up performance in Saturday’s Balance Accountants Open (1200m) at Wanganui hinted at more to come in 2024-25.

Progressive sprinter Spencer gets a chance to redeem himself at Wanganui on Saturday and add to his burgeoning record.

Former New Zealand mare Expressiveness is set to have her second Australian start when she lines up at Caulfield.

Loyalty is a core value for Sandy Moore, and he is now reaping the rewards from that virtue with his Group One-winning mare Bonny Lass.

Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray scooped the major Cups last season with Mahrajaan, and with the ultimate two-mile contest now on their radar, he will appear for the first time this season at Ruakaka on Saturday.

Cambridge trainer Maxim van Lierde dreamed of campaigning a horse in Melbourne when he spent time at Lindsay Park last year, and now that has turned into a reality.

Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are excited for what spring has instore for their premiership-winning team, with several of their stars stepping out at the Te Rapa trials on Tuesday.

It looks to be the end of the road of a long and distinguished career for top jumper The Cossack after suffering a suspensory ligament injury.

Peter and Jessica Brosnan are making the most of an exciting opportunity with up-and-coming steeplechaser Auld Jock during the Grand National Carnival in Christchurch over the next week.

JJ Rayner will bid to follow in the footsteps of her father Evan with rugged stayer Lord Spencer at the Riccarton carnival.