Te Rapa has been the scene of plenty of this season’s success for Wexford Stables, and Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott are hoping to bring 2023-24 to a close with more of the same at the Hamilton track on Saturday.

Levin trainer Josh Shaw is keen to get an elite-level scalp with his Group One performer Faraglioni, and she will get her first opportunity this preparation in just over a month at Hastings.

This season’s standout three-year-old Crocetti made a pleasing start to his spring preparation on Tuesday at the Cambridge Synthetic trials, closing late to finish second in his 800m heat, and he could be in for a lucrative spring preparation.

John Bell has always had plenty of time for Spanish Lad and his patience has paid off with the well-bred three-year-old breaking maidens comfortably in the Martin Collins New Zealand MAAT 1550 at Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday.

The New Zealand thoroughbred racing industry breathed a collective sigh of relief when the gates crashed open for the first on the card at Pukekohe on Sunday after a horror week that saw race meetings abandoned on four separate occasions.

Local marvel Justaskme will attempt to become the first three-time winner of the Listed Sinclair Electrical & Refrigeration Opunake Cup (1400m) when he contests the $100,000 feature for the fourth time at New Plymouth on Saturday.

Star performer Orchestral won’t be over-taxed during her spring preparation, with trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood more focussed on longer-term targets with their stable star.

Savile Row was a special horse in Pam Gerard’s training career and she is looking forward to debuting one of the young sire’s progeny in Suit Yourself at Arawa Park on Saturday.

Belardo Boy will make the final step towards his defence of the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) when he contests Saturday’s Listed Sinclair Electrical & Refrigeration Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth.

Matamata trainer Jim Collett is looking forward to heading south to Hastings on Thursday where promising juvenile Basel Warrior will make his debut in the PGG Wrightsons Livestock 2YO (800m).

Caitlin Johnson has embraced the opportunity since entering into partnership with Fred Pratt over the past 18 months and the Hastings trainers are hopeful for a strong showing at their local meeting on Thursday.

Wexford Stables’ well-performed pair of Waitak and Dragon Leap are progressing well toward new season targets.

With 168 wins to their name this season, Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have already sealed the trainers’ premiership, and they already have their eye on continuing their dominance into next term.

Banjo Paterson runner-up to find things easier in Deane Lester Flemington Cup.