Orchestral has returned to New Zealand after a sensational campaign, which culminated in a bold effort for third in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.

With the curtain coming down on the racing career of Te Akau Racing’s 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz yesterday, they are now looking forward to unveiling their next future star, which could very well come at Riccarton on Saturday.

Consecutive victories have propelled Chattahoochee toward his first crack at a black-type feature.

Consecutive victories have propelled Chattahoochee toward his first crack at a black-type feature.

Waikato horseman Chad Ormsby is making a habit of landing major prizes at Trentham with three-year-olds that he was unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale.

Top juvenile Velocious moves into serious bonus territory at Trentham on Saturday.

Talented filly Grey Haze earned her connections a lucrative payday in claiming the inaugural Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Ken Kelso is hoping lightning might strike twice when Legarto makes her second start at Flemington in Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m).

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is giving two sets of connections the opportunity to claim a lucrative payday in Saturday’s Entain-NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m) at Ellerslie.

It will be a case of youth versus experience at Ellerslie this Saturday when Wexford Stables lines-up their two representatives in the Gr.1 NZEA New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).

After spending most of the afternoon tossing up whether or not to scratch Complicate from Saturday’s Snow Williams Bayleys Country (1600m) at Tauranga, Matamata trainer Wayne Hillis decided to roll the dice and was richly rewarded.

Well-travelled sprinter Macthief displayed his affinity for winning early in a campaign when he came from last at Tauranga on Saturday to claim victory in the Triton Pacific Owens Plate (1200m).

Grande Gallo has competed among the best of the country’s three-year-olds this season, and the talented filly proved too strong when stepping out of stakes company at Tauranga on Saturday.

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh will use Saturday’s Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga as a springboard towards autumn targets for Skyman and Financier.