Waikato’s silks to fore

Ocean Park

A quick wardrobe change behind the barrier resulted in Waikato Stud’s familiar colours win out in a driving finish at New Plymouth this afternoon.

Jockey Ngakau Hailey had gone to the start aboard Confetti (ex Part Popper) in trainer Allan Sharrock’s silks before swapping for those of the Matamata farm and they narrowly prevailed in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series race over 1800 metres.

The daughter of Ocean Park settled three back along the rail before she was guided into clear air at the top of the straight and the lightly raced chestnut finished resolutely to get in the deciding strike.

She now has a brace of wins and four minor placings from eight appearances.

Confetti is the first foal of Party Popper, an unraced daughter of former stud resident Rock ‘N’ Pop who is again due to foal to Ocean Park.

The mare is out of a sister to the G2 Theo Marks Stakes winner and G1 Epsom Handicap placegetter Mackintosh and a three-quarter sister to Viennetta, successful in an addition of the G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Stakes.

Viennetta also finished third in the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes and produced the multiple stakes-winning sprinter Golden Archer.

Recent News
21 September 2026

Waikato Stud farewells Posy

Bluehen mare Posy, dam of Group 1 winner Atishu, Group winner Mazzolino and Flemington winner Dream All Day, has been laid to rest, aged 17. She retired to Waikato Stud’s broodmare band in 2014 and left a lasting legacy.

Read More
18 September 2026

WS-breds shine at the Racing Victoria Off The Track Carnival

Last weekend saw many retired racehorses and their careers compete in various disciplines, and one star who shone brightly was Eden Pearson’s 10-year-old ott horse, Tango. Once racing as Does It (Pins ex Just Be Cos), Tango raced 45 times, winning on five occasions and accumulating prizemoney of $275,550 before retiring in June 2024.

Read More