Matt Smith

So, Mosse, the darling - a guy can be a darling, surely - of the New Zealand thoroughbred season, won't be in the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham tomorrow.

A $50,000 race almost on the back doorstep was too hard to ignore for Paul Richards with his galloper Our Santana.

Shane Anderton will not be jumping for joy if a replay of the Marton Cup eventuates in tomorrow's Trentham Stakes in Wellington.

A torrid battle between Smoken Up and Caribbean Blaster in Saturday's South Australia Cup did not have Paul Court flinching at all, given Terror To Love's Interdominion campaign starts tonight in the Northern Southland Cup at Ascot Park.

On face value, the non-winners' trot looked like a race Mosgiel trainer Craig Buchan could win at Wyndham yesterday.

THE Fiery Ginga backed up his win at Oamaru last week with a win against the pacers at the Forbury Park trials on MondayThe CR Commando 6yr-old took on two one-win pacers, Never Eyre and Waihemo Caesar, beating Never Eyre home by 4 lengths. The Fiery Ginga trotted the 2700m mobile journey in 3.26.8, cutting out his last 800m in 60.9.

Jason Rulz provided Woodend Beach trainers Greg and Nina Hope with one of their biggest wins in harness racing in the group 2 Pelorus Classic in Blenheim yesterday.

Highlights . . . I have reacquainted myself with my desk here in Lower Stuart St after a busy couple of weeks following the summer holiday circuit. While the drawer handles are ergonomically pleasing and the bookshelf space is ample, it's not quite as much fun as getting some sun on the face and talking to excited owners and trainers about their animals.

The $20,000 Kumara Gold Nuggets has had an emotional edge added to this year's edition, with Essential and Needastar running for two new owners.