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Important SN update for SouthlandWaihaha Falls looking to bounce back at Te Rapa
Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • July 3rd, 2025 10:00 am
Waihaha Falls will contest the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday | Photo: Bradley Photos
Initially trained in Sydney by John O’Shea, the Sacred Falls gelding won five and placed in five of his 22 starts across the Tasman, including placing in the Gr.3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) and two editions of the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m).
He returned to New Zealand last year to the care of Guy Lowry, who bred the now seven-year-old in partnership with Waikato Stud, and he resumed with a placing over 1000m at Trentham last October before finishing last over 1200m at Otaki a month later.
He has since enjoyed some time in the paddock and has made one public appearance ahead of his resuming run this weekend when unplaced in his 1000m trial at Foxton last month.
Leah Zydenbos, who trains the gelding in partnership with Lowry, has been pleased with his progression this preparation and is looking forward to getting a gauge in him ahead of mapping out his future targets.
“He is an older horse now, so he has taken a while to get going, but it looks like it will be a nice, heavy track at Te Rapa. He loves the heavy going so we are excited to get a line on him,” she said.
“We thought his trial was good. As he has gotten older, he has started doing less without blinkers on, but we were happy enough with him.
“We are taking everything race-by-race at the moment. The only disappointment of his career was his last start before we sent him out for a spell. There are no big plans as yet, we just want to see how he is going.”
Closer to their Hastings base, Lowry and Zydenbos will also be represented at Otaki on Saturday by Eyegeegee in the Aquashield Roofing Handicap (1200m).
The Little Avondale Stud-bred and raced gelding pleased with his first-up fourth placing over 1200m at the Kapiti Coast track last month, and his trainers are looking for an improved showing this weekend.
“He had a great first-up performance for fourth. He stays at 1200m on a heavy track and has a three-kilo claimer, so he should be competitive,” Zydenbos said.
Meanwhile, the stable will have a strong hand at Awapuni’s synthetic meeting on Friday, heading to the Palmerston North venue with seven runners.
Their charge will be led by consistent six-year-old Gohugo, who takes a string of placings into the Milton Park Stables 1200.
“Gohugo is a consistent old lad,” Zydenbos said. “He didn’t pull up too well after his last start, we freshened him for a week, and he certainly did well in that paddock. We never know what he is going to give us, but we know he always tries hard.”
Three-year-old gelding No Trumps pleased with his last start runner-up performance and will make his third raceday appearance in the Pukemarama Siviculture 1700.
“He was an impressive second there last time. He steps up in distance and another bold performance is expected,” Zydenbos said.
He will be joined in his race by stablemate Uncle Ken, who will be making his debut for owner-breeder Waikato Stud.
“He is a nice horse who will get better over ground,” Zydenbos said. “We are just looking forward to seeing him under a little pressure at the races.”
Five-year-old mare Pepperoni will also make her debut in the Bryce Newman Racing 1200, and Zydenbos is hoping her owners can be rewarded for their patience.
“The owners have done right by the horse and given her plenty of time,” she said. “We were happy enough with her trial and her jumpouts in this prep so hopefully her owners are rewarded for their patience.”
She will be met in the race by stablemate and last start placegetter Sunshine Ale.
“She can be a slightly difficult mare, but Amber Riddell rode her nicely last time and she gets on aboard again,” Zydenbos said.
The stable’s Awapuni representation will be rounded out by debut placegetter Kayzino in the J& J Walters Limited 2140 and enigmatic four-year-old It’s Amelia in the Royal Racing With Adam Scott 1400.
“Kayzino is a stayer on the rise,” Zydenbos said. “We are really happy with her debut and a step up in distance on the synthetic track should suit.
“It’s Amelia has had a lot of turns now. She has started favourite in most of her runs and has disappointed. She has certainly got a lot of ability but just can’t seem to put it together on raceday.”
