Times Ticking has overcome a setback for a belated crack at a top-flight title at the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival.

The New Zealand Pattern Committee (NZPC) has completed its annual review of black-type racing in New Zealand, with several changes made to the schedule of feature races for 2023-24.

Saturday’s Tauranga meeting began on a perfect note for Te Akau Racing, who won the first two races including a smart debut performance by two-year-old filly About Last Night.

There are few prestige jumping trophies missing from Paul Nelson’s mantlepiece, but the Great Northern Steeplechase is one that has eluded the Hastings trainer over his career.

The clock is winding down on the career of outstanding winter performer Justaskme while his well-performed barnmate Ladies Man is also nearing a less dramatic fork in the road.

Exciting galloper Quintessa provided the blue and tangerine silks of Te Akau Racing with their second stakes victory and third win in succession at Hastings on Saturday when she stormed home from near the back of a quality field to take out the Gr.3 HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Gold Trail Stakes (1200m).

Popular winter sprinter Tavi’s Court found his winning grove again when he showed all his fighting qualities to claim his first victory in nearly a year at Wanganui on Saturday.

The familiar tangerine and blue colours of Te Akau Racing showed once again they will be a powerful presence in South Island racing over the next two months as they unleashed some serious contenders for higher honours later in the spring at Riccarton on Saturday.

There's a family tradition for Chrissy Bambry to uphold in Saturday's Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m) with talented filly Chantilly Lace but the Foxton trainer also has the bigger picture in mind.

Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson will reveal their newest juvenile prospect at Wanganui on Saturday, with impressive trial winner Bellatrix Star having her race-day debut.

Group One performer Llanacord will be aiming to kick off her preparation on a winning note when she heads to Hawera on Sunday to compete in the Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes Saturday 7th October 1600.

Take The Crown has done everything asked of him by trainer Shaun Phelan ahead of his debut at Wanganui on Saturday in the opening juvenile contest of the season.

Itza Charmdeel will bid to complete a hat-trick of wins and a brace at stakes level when he returns to the Central Districts on Saturday.

Clinton Isdale was delighted to see the form of his talented sprinter Is That So stack up nicely over the weekend and hopes to see the best of the seven-year-old on Saturday at Wanganui.