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FWC on Sport Nation guideJustin Evans reviews the weekend's racing
Duncan Perkinson • June 29th, 2026 12:53 pm
Churchillian, with Sam Collett aboard, won Saturday's Listed Tauranga Classic | Photo: Race Images
Trackside’s Justin Evans joined Scotty & Izzy this morning to review the weekend’s racing and look ahead to Thursday’s postponed Wellington Steeplechase.
The racing highlight from Big Saturday, was the Listed Tauranga Stakes where Churchillian picked up another feature race success, after a polished front-running performance.
The mare has built a fine record with 11 wins from 27 starts.
While she may not always be spoken of as a headline superstar, Churchillian has developed into a genuine black-type performer.
"She's just picked up feature wins here, there and everywhere really." Evans said.
The victory adds further value to an already impressive profile, which includes a Group Three in the Rotorua ITM Stakes last month as well as the Anniversary Handicap at Trentham.
Churchillian is at her best when allowed to roll along near the speed, and Collett took full advantage, hugging the rail. Evans thought Sam Collett had judged the race perfectly.
"The style of her rider Sam Collett, they're both very similar," Evans said. "They like to get out and get on with the job."
On a wet track, the Tauranga corner can often prove tricky, but Collett kept her mount balanced and travelling, slipped away at the right moment, and the mare was never caught.
Churchillian may not have been as fast as the Mercedes and Ferraris that Formula One fan Collett saw in Europe, but the jet-setting jockey has returned from holiday in sharp form.
Further south, trainer Terry Kennedy enjoyed a memorable home-track double at Wingatui on Sunday.
Kennedy, a respected figure in the Dunedin racing community and a former rider himself, landed back-to-back wins with a team that continues to punch above its weight.
"He is genuinely one of the nicest blokes in the game."
Both victories came by narrow margins, with Sacred Mist scoring by a half-head under Triston Moodley, while Proudtobehere won by a neck with apprentice Sima Mxothwa aboard.
Kennedy is known for preferring to race his horses close to home, and had 5 horses from his barn racing on Sunday.
"He likes to race most of his horses on his own track," Evans said. "He doesn't like to venture too far away so he can zip back home and celebrate."
Looking ahead to racing this week, Evans’ attention turns to Thursday’s rearranged Wellington jumping features after wild weather forced Saturday’s postponement.
Evans thinks the Wellington Steeplechase looks especially competitive, with champion jumper Nedwin, Manawatu Steeplechase winner Never Look Back, and the improving Smug all in contention and Evans thinks the latter may be the one to beat after an excellent last-start third behind Nedwin.
Listen to the full interview:
