Trainer Cran Dalgety hasn't given up on Christen Me overcoming a wide draw in tomorrow night's A$400,000 Victoria Cup but it won't be playing on his mind tonight.

Te Akau principal David Ellis says he hasn't seen a better filly sold at Karaka than the Fastnet Rock-Il Quello Veloce filly he topped the Premier Sales with yesterday at $800,000.

Imported stayers Big Memory and Le Roi are pleasing their trainer Tony McEvoy ahead of autumn group one campaigns.

Fired-up Queensland trainer Liam Birchley didn't enter the buying ranks at Karaka yesterday, but Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum did.

Champagne corks popping, the waft of garlic prawns and steak on the barbie, and frowns as hundreds paw through a stunning catalogue of blue-blood thoroughbreds.

Queensland trainer Liam Birchley had a tip for Auckland Racing Club boss Cameron George before last night's Karaka Million: "I hope you've got the club's beer stocks shored up, because my mob....

It looked very much like Matt Cameron enjoyed winning Saturday's $200,000 event on Maygrove more than he did taking the race on Sir Mark Todd's Willy Smith in 2007.

Co-trainer Andrew Forsman believes Maygrove is a year away from maturing into the perfect racehorse.

Strata Lady was the big shortener for Sunday's Karaka Million after yesterday's critical barrier draw.

The sun was still to rise at Ellerslie yesterday when Queensland trainer Liam Birchley threw out a tip for Sunday's $1 million Karaka Million.

New Zealand currently tests for cobalt, the latest "go-fast" drug in horse racing, but we have no threshold limits.

A chance to take on the country's best mares could be in the offing for Al Raza after her outstanding Oamaru Cup win on the grass yesterday.

Saturday's dramatic $250,000 Berkett Telegraph at Trentham should have taught punters an important lesson.

Graphic doesn't deserve to lose mana for the Platinum Homes Wellington Cup despite being easily beaten at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Fairytale endings are rare in racing but Chris Munce is confident he can buck the trend on favourite Wicked Intent in the A$2 million Magic Millions Classic.

The weight increase (54.5kg to 58kg) from his last start win suggests Allez Eagle may be vulnerable in Race 8 at Ellerslie today.

Mark Purdon sees handing Tim Williams the reins to two of the country's hottest pacers at Cambridge tonight as a stamp of approval.

Chad Ormsby will attempt to strengthen his hand for this month's Platinum Homes Wellington Cup (2400m) when he saddles The Fire Inside in the Gallagher Group Marton Cup.

The Karaka Million has dragged two Central Districts juveniles north for tomorrow's $20,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO at Ellerslie.

When your future is on the line a rampant Adore Me is hardly the ideal rival, but that doesn't stop Steven Reid going into tomorrow night's Flying Mile at Cambridge with a degree of....

Brisbane trainer Liam Birchley will run up his frequent flyer points as he prepares for possible Millions results in two countries.

Josh Dickie provides two good reasons punters can bet against the usual grass track harness rules at Ruakaka today.

All eyes will be on the royally bred 2-year-old Fastdane Rocky as the high-priced yearling sale graduate makes his raceday debut in the Fell Engineering 1000 at Ruakaka tomorrow.

Whichever way you look at the Auckland Racing Club Christmas/New Year meeting it was a success.

Craig Grylls made the most of his chances on Saturday before the start of a lengthy suspension when he produced a fine display aboard Nothing Trivial to win the Thames Cup.