Ronda runs them ragged at Otaki

27 November 2015

Speedy filly Ronda has made an impressive opening to her Listed Karaka Million campaign.

The precocious youngster claimed fourth spot in the order of entry for the January 24 feature when she led all the way for a dominant first-up win in the Courtesy Ford 2YO at Otaki on Friday.

“She’s still got a bit to learn and halfway down the straight she pricked her ears and was waiting for them,” trainer Mark Forbes said.

“She’ll run on Boxing Day or New Year’s Day to give her a look around Ellerslie and then it will be on to the Million.”

Forbes trains the Waikato Stud-bred Ronda for Singapore owner Justin Wong, who he became friendly with during a five month period they spent together on a cadet training course at the Irish National Stud.

By O’Reilly and out of Victoria’s Reign, Ronda was bought by Red Hare Bloodstock for $55,000 at the 2015 Premier Yearling Sale.

First Stakes Winner For Banquo

Waikato Stud stallion Banquo was a stakes winner on the track and now he has sired his first stakes winner as Kris Shalier’s Justin Case delivered a dominant performance to pull clear in the G3 …

13 February 2026

Waikato invest in next generation with Return To Conquer to join its roster

Joining a long legacy of breed-shaping stallions to stand at Waikato Stud, three generations of the Chittick family have placed their confidence in Return To Conquer, with the A$1.3 million yearling and unbeaten Group 1-winning son of the four-time Champion Sire and Champion Two-Year-Old sire, Snitzel, to take his position on the Waikato roster in 2026.