- The 11th and final day of the 2026 winter Polytrack season took place in cold and wet conditions although officially spring is in the air being September.
- The day was most notable in the first race with young trainer Brenna Cook preparing her first winner with ILLUSIONIST in the 2200 metres maiden. Brenna is in only her third season training and ILLUSIONIST was only her 16th starter. Top apprentice Jack Taplin was the rider.
- The days feature was the 7th and last race on the programme the Entain / NZB Insurance Pearl Series. Peter and Trent Didham had travelled PISTACHIO south from their Awapuni base for the $28,000 bonuses on top of the $18,500 stake. However, it was not to be and another member of the famous family, Richard Didham, took the honours with PRIVATE TREATY. Local apprentice jockey Sima Mxothwa was smiling about his native South Africa beating the All Blacks on the weekend and had more reason to continue smiling with the winning ride.
- On a day when every winner was ridden by an apprentice jockey regular Te Awamutu based visitor Ashlee Strawbridge scored two wins aboard STORTFORD LODGE for David Walsh and ELEGANT EXPLOSIVE for John and Karen Parsons.
- Perhaps the biggest smile on the day belonged to Riccarton Park trainer Kezia Murphy when her charge LA EVITA prevailed by the narrowest of margins in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Rating 60. Kezia had gone through a prolonged period without a winner.
IN
Racing
PolyTrack Racing Season 11th Day Review - 10 September
Brenna Cook trains first winner
September 11, 2026