Pins 6yo Aerovelocity Creates Gr.1 History in Japan

29 April 2011

Laxon Shooting for Big Things Ahead with Waikato

LAURIE LAXON’s ever consistent galloper Waikato will look to extend his rich vein of form in the Sgp-2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) in Singapore tonight.

The outstanding Pins seven-year-old has won both of his last two outings, escalating earnings in the process to over SG$2,282,000 (approx. NZ$2.3 million)

Interestingly, the Singapore Turf Club (STC) has reported that the QEII Cup is actually a stepping stone race for Waikato. The horse’s ultimate target is said to be the $3 million Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) on May 22.

Since purchasing him as a yearling for $50,000 in 2005, Waikato has rewarded his champion trainer/owner with five Group wins – the best of which being the 2009 Gr.1 Kranji Mile. Further, Singapore accolades garnered along the way have included: Champion Older Sprinter in 2008 & 2009, Champion Older Miler in 2009 & 2010 & the Champion Middle Distance in 2010.

“I guess you could say he’s one of my all-time favourites,” Laxon told the STC earlier this week.

Tivaci’s Movie Night steals the show at Newcastle

A sister to the Gr.1 ATC Flight Stakes (1600m) winner Never Been Kissed, the Waikato Stud-bred and raced Movie Night (NZ) was rewarded for her consistency, breaking her maiden with an all-the-way win over 1400m at Newcastle for trainer Tom Charlton.

9 July 2026

Oilman’s stud stake could change course of NZ breeding

Eighteen months ago, Texas oilman Nelson Bunker Hunt walked through the lush Waikato pasture of Matamata’s Balcarres Stud and announced he wanted some just like it for his own.

Today he has-360 acres about a mile down the road which has been transformed from a dairy farm to one of New Zealand’s leading horse and cattle breeding establishments.