ANZAC Day recognised
- Christchurch turned on sensational autumn weather for the third day of the Autumn Racing Season on an ANZAC weekend when the city also hosted the Super Round of the Super Rugby competition to open the new Te Kaha Stadium.
- Being held on ANZAC DAY saw racing commence after 1pm with a seven-race programme. A poignant moment followed the opening event with a New Zealand Army band member playing the last post flanked by jockeys Tina Comignaghi and Kylie Williams wearing the special ANZAC poppy colours.
- The name Anderton needs no introduction to Riccarton Park racegoers and the father and son training partnership of Brian and Shane, as they have so often in the past, dominated proceedings.
- Their grand mare INFLAMED won the third Group 3 race in her career out finishing the favourite IRON HAWK in the Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes. The Andrew Carston trained pair of MASTER BRUTUS and SAY SATONO filled the other minor placings. Stable rider Corey Campbell was the winning rider.
- Two races later BAUBLE at long odds of 32/1 stormed home down the outside to beat the very brave MATSCOT who also ran home strongly towards the inner. Former Anderton apprentice Courtney Barnes took the ride when Corey Campbell opted for stablemate CAPO DELL IMPERO.
- Whilst punters had burning fingers after those two results, they did get some reward when favourite PERLINO won the race before the Cup, the days other feature, the listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes for the three-year-old fillies. The daughter of SUPER SETH was a $120,000 purchase from the 2024 Book 1 NZB sale for Te Akau Racing. Brazilian jockey Bruno Queiroz rode the filly for the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson partnership.
- NUNCIO was popular winner of the last of the day, the Rating 65 1400 metres event. Owned by stalwart racing fan Paul Cunneen the five-year-old gelding had overcome much adversity in his career to reward Paul and trainer Les Didham for their patience. In winning he gave recently deceased White Robe Lodge stallion GHIBELLINES his third winner on the day. Both INFLAMED and BAUBLE being by the same sire.