The conditions may not appear to suit the best pacer at Alexandra Park tonight but looks can be deceiving.

El Pescado is in top order ahead of a return visit to Hastings on Saturday, according to his trainer Stuart Manning.

Tavago's Caulfield Cup preparation may take in a detour to Sydney this week.

Punters would be well-advised to be taking notes on Roger James' runners at Te Rapa today.

The open class pacing season is about to get serious.

A group three test at Hastings next Saturday will define the 3-year-old paths of a trio of Matamata stablemates.

What caused Xtravagant to race so poorly in Saturday's A$200,000 Bobby Lewis remains a mystery for the time being.

James McDonald is back in the zone.

"If horses can't perform on wet tracks they can't win,"

The southern jockey then played her part in guiding Gypsy Fair to a defeat of the favourite Platinum Command.

Jockey Kieren Fox was lucky to emerge unscathed after a stray golf ball sent him flying from his horse.

Franco Nelson's first 2600m in last week's Maurice Holmes Vase was good, but it was his effort after the line which impressed his driver.

Flemington today, which officially kicks off Melbourne's Spring Carnival, is "Sofitel Girls' Day Out" and we all know what that means.

All Roads will prove himself the most improved horse in the north if he wins at Ruakaka today. And he can.

World-class jockey Joao Moreira rides the favourite Omei Sword in tomorrow's A$1 million Golden Rose at Rosehill and if you think

John Butcher, the patriarch of one of New Zealand racing's most successful families, has died. The Cambridge horseman passed away

Champion trainer Mark Purdon wasn't getting too carried away with the good or the bad when his superstars returned to the track yesterday.

The chances of Lazarus taking on pacing's big boys in the New Zealand Trotting Cup are increasing by the day ... and they could get their most serious boost yet today.

The scene is Ellerslie Racecourse, two weeks ago today, the men's toilet in the members' grandstand.

This is a contest between Mr Invisible, Mr Nice Guy and Mr Quiet One.

The first steps on the road to the New Zealand Cup can be fraught with danger for punters.

Paul Nairn feels he and Wilma's Mate may have lost some battles but ultimately won the war.

One of New Zealand's finest race mares Valley Girl has been prematurely retired.

An animal rights organisation says the death of three jump-racing horses in three weeks is unacceptable.

The Cox Plate is NOT a target and trainer Allan Sharrock remains unconvinced Kawi is even a 2000m horse.

Mark Purdon has no regrets not to be hunting down the toughest record in harness racing.

"It's very satisfying - it was a challenge, but I knew I had the horse to do it with," Sharrock said.

Rising staying star Humidor has moved an effortless step closer to a group one date in the closing leg of the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown series.

Barcelo was three wide near the pace and he finished resolutely in the straight to get the better of the filly Mystery Show, who was wayward under pressure close to home.

Well, we haven't quite got to a definitive point either way with the state of the Hastings track, but things are a bit clearer.