John and Karen Parsons are expecting early proof that Sniparinda has inherited his share of the family ability.

Peter Moody is prepared for the fight to clear his name after being charged with cobalt offences.

The hottest tip in thoroughbred racing is that the legal threshold level of cobalt in horses will soon be reduced from 200 micrograms per litre of urine to 100mcg.

Difficult to categorise tomorrow's Te Rapa meeting: five in-depth jumping races, the best winter sprinters and two classy juvenile fields.

The 4-year-old has already won three times at Avondale and trainer Steven Cole is expecting another bold effort.

Not even a setback to stable pacing star Saveapatrol can dent trainer Mark Jones's enthusiasm heading to Alexandra Park tonight.

Injured star Cambridge horseman David Butcher is on the improve after a horror accident that could see him in hospital until next season.

The Midsummer Sun cobalt inquiry has been put back two weeks at the request of two people charged in the affair.

Christen Me's career is about to become even more serious as trainer Cran Dalgety aims to make him New Zealand's richest-ever harness horse.

The footing at Trentham today will be diabolically heavy - which should see a couple of pretty good winter gallopers return to their best form.

Small fields can be the worst to figure out. However, even if race nine at Alexandra Park tonight doesn't play out as Canterbury horseman John Dunn expects.

A transformed Amarula is ready to double his winning tally at Ruakaka this weekend.

If there is an obstacle in Brushman's way tomorrow - no pun intended - it is the 70kg topweight.

Former Queensland Derby winner Sonntag is gearing up for a tilt at the signature event during New Zealand Cup Week in Christchurch this November.

James McDonald is a popular figure in Sydney racing, but Blake Shinn and Hugh Bowman will offer a scowl when they see him in a Sydney birdcage in the next couple of weeks.

Taurus booked his ticket to Taranaki and the rich Listed Waikato Stud Opunake Cup in a fortnight when he overcame a small but handy field in the Midwest Disposals Handicap at Awapuni yesterday.

He may be a 100-to-one outsider but proven Group One performer Gold Onyx will fly the flag for the New Zealand breeding industry in South Africa's most celebrated race this weekend.

It is worth giving Blair Orange and rising star Saveapatrol a second chance at Alexandra Park tonight.

Southland owner-trainers the Dennis brothers have a bigger picture in mind when opting for one more throw of the dice with The Bishop at Ashburton today.

Returning to left-handed racing in tomorrow's $65,000 Woods Group Taumarunui Gold Cup at Te Rapa gives Miss Mossman a chance to regain her best form.

Write Zacada in capital letters in your black book. Zabeel juveniles are not meant to win on debut.

Stablemates Dances On Stars and Estonian Princess still have something to give after their Queensland carnival campaigns and are set to run in the Civic Stakes at Rosehill.

Hasselhoof may not be around for much longer in New Zealand. Trainer Donna Logan yesterday confirmed he is definitely on the market and likely to be sold.

Two future superstars of harness racing stole the show at Menangle yesterday in the rich finals of the NSW Breeders Challenge for 2-year-olds.

Gagarin proved too strong for his rivals in the $50,000 Te Whangai Romneys Hawke's Bay Hurdle (3100m) yesterday.

Wanganui gelding Mr Mor shook off a narrow defeat in the Manawatu Steeplechase at his last start to go one better on Saturday when he captured the $50,000 Hawke's Bay Steeplechase at Hastings.

Local trainer Donna Logan dominated the last Ruakaka meeting, winning four races and she is set up for another carpet ride today.

Leading trainer says he tests his entire staff on a regular and random basis.