Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman were buoyed by Aegon’s 1200m trial victory at Matamata on Tuesday ahead of his tilt at the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie later this month.

Shaune Ritchie is heading into the Listed Japac Homes Marton Cup (2200m) at Awapuni with The Good Fight on Saturday in a buoyant mood.

Classy mare Showoroses will be back at Ellerslie on January 23 where she will contest the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) on Karaka Million night.

Trainer Ken Rae knew he had just the sort of filly he likes dealing with when he picked her up on the float on the way home from a trip away.

A wide draw and a step up in class couldn’t hold down underrated mare Showoroses as she led from go to whoa to take out the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie.

Talented mare Levante will get her first chance to prove herself at elite-level at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day when she contests the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m).

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman stable added another likely candidate to their Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) assault in March, when Frontman made a winning debut at Rotorua on Monday.

Promising three-year-old galloper Bentayga shook off the effects of a pre-race scare to register his first victory at New Plymouth on Sunday.

Pike-trained Khufu sparkles in Cambridge trial

Punters who have taken the $6.50 about unraced juvenile Khufu in next month’s $1m Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) can breathe a little easier after the son of American Pharoah looked all class when winning an 800m trial at Cambridge on Tuesday.

Coming to grips with life away from the saddle has been tough for former jockey Donavan Mansour, and a new role managing Byerley Park for prominent owner Daniel Nakhle has been a godsend for the well-liked horseman.

Emerging Cambridge trainer Glen Harvey can rest easy in the knowledge he has a pair of juveniles already high up the order of entry for the $1m Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2yo (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 23, and he could look to add more runners in the coming weeks.

Tiley taking aim at summer features with Play That Song; Eight Carat for Anna; Caulfield start for Impecunious; Stable change for Mo’unga; IFHA release horse welfare standards

Impressive debut winner The Irishman had a quiet trial at Te Aroha on Monday in readiness for a raceday return over the Ellerslie Christmas Carnival.