RACE

04/09/2026

Wow! What an amazing night at the Central Regional Racing Awards!

A huge congratulations to all of our winners and nominees. Your dedication, passion and achievements throughout the season are what make our racing community so special.

A very special thank you to all of our generous sponsors for supporting the awards and helping us celebrate the incredible people who make our industry what it is. We couldn’t do it without you.

And of course, thank you to all of our guests, trainers, jockeys, owners, participants, supporters and racing families who joined us to celebrate another fantastic season. It was wonderful to have you all there and share such a special evening together.

Central Apprentice Jockey Awards:
Most Improved: Toni Davies
Head Pupil: Crystal Lindsay
Leading Apprentice: Amber Riddell

Power Farming Synthetic Series:
Jockey of the Year: Floor Moerman
Horse of the Year: Wind Talker
Trainer of the Year: Stephen Gray Racing

Central Regional Racing Awards:

Levin Racing Club Jockey of the Year: Amber Riddell & Bruno Queiroz
Crowley Forge Master Farriers Strapper of the Year: Ashleigh McIntyre
Hoult Contractors Trainer of the Year: Lisa Latta Racing
TAB New Zealand Owner of the Year: Neville McAlister
NZB 2&3YO of the Year: Platinum Pantheon
Equus Veterinary Jumper of the Year: Jesko
EquivetsNZ Broodmare of the Year: Missy Moo (Ka Ying Rising)
Majestic Horse Floats LP Horse of the Year: Khanshe (Fraser Auret Racing)
Humphries Construction Contribution to Racing: Kevin Gray

Partners:
Foxton Racing Club
Levin Racing Club
Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club

02/09/2026

Ron Gurney reports:

Coulthard and Sax Appeal impressive

Coulthard and his maiden stablemate Sax Appeal were in stunning form at Awapuni on Thursday morning.

Read more:

Coulthard and his maiden stablemate Sax Appeal were in stunning form at Awapuni on Thursday morning.

02/09/2026

After a wonderful career on the track, the local legend that is Belardo Boy has been retired from racing.

A much-loved campaigner who gave his connections, supporters and racing fans plenty of memorable moments, such as his gritty Hunterville Vet Club Marton Metric Mile win back in 2023 at his home-turf on the Awapuni Racecourse!

Congratulations to Lisa Latta Racing and everyone involved with this special horse throughout his career. 💙

We wish Belardo Boy all the very best for his well-earned retirement and the next chapter ahead. 🐴✨

02/09/2026

The time is almost here! Only one sleep to go until the Central Regional Racing awards!

We can't wait to celebrate and honour those that make our industry so special!

Reminder:
Doors open: 5pm
Pre dinner drinks until: 6pm

01/09/2026

The final Power Farming Synthetic Series Raceday for 2026 concluded over the weekend — and what a series it was!

Local trainers Kevin & Stephen Gray proved too strong in the Trainers Competition, securing top honours with an impressive 80 points.

Mike Breslin finished a strong second on 47 points, narrowly edging Suzy Gordon, who finished on 46 points.

Apprentice jockey Floor Moerman showed real talent throughout the synthetic series, putting together a string of consistent performances to finish at the top of the Jockey Series with 61 points.

Fellow apprentices Amber Riddell and Toni Davies also put up strong challenges, finishing second and third respectively with 50 and 37 points.

The Mark Oulaghan-trained Wind Talker came out on top as the Champion Synthetic Series Horse, finishing with 20 points from seven starts, including two wins and four minor placings.

A huge congratulations to all the winners, placegetters, trainers, jockeys and connections who made the 2026 Power Farming Synthetic Series such a great success!

01/09/2026

Ron Gurney reports:

Pinkerton, Identikit and Confide step up to the plate

Pinkerton, Identikit and Confide all galloped in fine fashion at Awapuni on Tuesday morning.

Read more:

Pinkerton, Identikit and Confide all galloped in fine fashion at Awapuni on Tuesday morning.

30/08/2026

That brings to an end what has been a very successful Power Farming Synthetic Series here at Awapuni Racecourse for 2026.

Local apprentice Liam Kauri took the spotlight today with a strong riding double.

His first victory came in Race 2, where he partnered the Howie Mathews-trained jumper Weneedashock (Shocking x Prado Red). Liam found himself leading the field turning for home, and after a strong kick from the eight-year-old gelding, he was able to pull clear of a valiant Giveusawink, who finished a strong second.

Liam followed this up in Race 3, providing the ILONE KELLY RACING STABLES, Rosa with a maiden victory. After 20 starts, the mare finally claimed her breakthrough win in dominant fashion, scoring by two lengths and being eased down on the line.

Ōtaki trainer Johno Benner also enjoyed a fantastic day out, picking up a training double with his two runners.

His first victory came with Sierra Leone, who, under the steady hand of Lily Sutherland, dug deep to run down the speedy So We Go at the 100-metre mark.

Johno then struck again in Race 6 with his in-form War Decree gelding, Croix De Guerre. Showing real grit and determination, Croix De Guerre held off a strong challenge from the honest Perfect Pete (Andrew Campbell). Senior jockey Lisa Allpress was able to find just that little bit more from Croix De Guerre, claiming victory by a nose and securing Johno’s second win of the day.

A big thank you to all our sponsors, trainers, patrons, and industry professionals who have supported us throughout the Power Farming Synthetic Series.

We now look forward to returning to racing for the 2026/27 season on Saturday, 19 September, for the Hunterville Vet Club Marton Metric Mile at Trentham Racecourse!

📸- Race Images NZ
Full interviews - Racing This Time TV

29/08/2026

It's the final Raceday of the Power Farming Synthetic Series!

We have plenty of racing on offer with an action packed 7 race card and being the final day comes the chance for champions to be crowned.

Windtalker needs just 1 point to claim the Synthetic Horse of the Year and with Victortheinflictor only a win away from being on equal points it really is all to play for.

On the other hand Floor Moerman, who is 19 points clear, has been sitting comfortably on top of the Synthetic Jockey of the Year leaderboard but with no rides today leaves the door wide open for Champion apprentice Amber Riddell, who looks ready to take out top spot!

So come down, enjoy some highly competitive racing, some great company and great food prepared by Creative Catering.

The Windsor Park Stud Birdcage bar is open to the public, with access to the Awapuni lounge as well.

G/A: Free
Gates open: 12:00pm
First race: 1:00pm
Last race: 4:30pm

Racebook:
https://shorturl.at/xQ2ol

Full Field:
https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/55924/Meeting-Overview.aspx

27/08/2026

Ron Gurney reports:

Latta's top performers are winding up

Top gallopers Platinum Attack and He's A Doozy turned up the wick in a bold gallop at Awapuni on Thursday morning.

Read more:

Top gallopers Platinum Attack and He's A Doozy turned up the wick in a bold gallop at Awapuni on Thursday morning.

26/08/2026

It's giveaway time!

We're giving away a $50 Fixed Odds Bonus Bet, for this Sunday, 30 August at RACE Awapuni, for the final Power Farming Synthetic Series Raceday!

Will Victortheinflictor return to winning ways or will last start winner, Croix De Guerre back up his strong performance last start with another win?

All you have to do is tell us who you think will win race 6 in the comments below, like the post and your in the draw - It's that simple!

To Enter:
👉 Comment your pick below
👍 Like the post
⏰ Winner drawn at 12:00pm Sunday, 30 August.

Race 1: 1:00pm
Race 6: 3:55pm
Final race: 4:30pm

Full Field:
https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/55924/Meeting-Overview.aspx