Cambridge apprentice jockey Elen Nicholas has been riding in New Zealand for the last nine seasons, but it hasn’t been until the last 12 months that she has been able to string together a decent amount of time in the saddle.

Exciting three-year-old gelding Platinum Pantheon has made his way across the Tasman where he will commence his Queensland campaign this weekend.

A trip to the Queensland winter carnival remains in the mix for talented colt Excite but the immediate focus is on another domestic black-type target.

While Stephen Marsh has enjoyed plenty of success this season, highlighted by the deeds of his unbeaten Group One-winning filly Well Written, the Cambridge trainer scored one of his most satisfying results at Te Rapa on Saturday when Financier took out the PGG Wrightson Grain Mile (1600m).

A future Classic campaign has already been tabled for promising filly So Fear who will close out her two-year-old preparation at Te Rapa.

Allan Sharrock is keeping a close eye on State Highway 3 road reports ahead of the weekend, with the Taranaki trainer set to take three horses north to compete at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Trainer Andrew Forsman is looking forward to heading to Te Rapa on Saturday where he will give his exciting juvenile Walkin In Memphis his first tilt at black type in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1400m).

Promising filly Belle Rebelle hails from a potent stakes family and will attempt to add further black type honours to her pedigree page at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Marton trainer Fraser Auret sure knows how to cram a bit into his weekend.

Shaun Fannin has dominated the New Zealand jumps jockey ranks in recent years, but he is now passing on the baton after confirming his retirement from riding over fences.

Regally-bred filly Avantaggia closed out her season in winning fashion at Ellerslie on Monday when taking out the ANZAC Day 3YO (1200m), her second win in succession.

Kelly Van Dyk is disappointed her filly Places To Be missed out on a start in Saturday’s Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa, and she will now head to her Plan B at Ellerslie on Monday where she is excited about her prospects in the ANZAC Day 3YO (1200m).

It was a true ANZAC Day for Te Akau Racing on Saturday, with the trans-Tasman operation scoring stakes success in both Australia and New Zealand.

Central Districts mare Khanshe put an unlucky effort at her last start well behind her when she produced a strong finishing burst to claim her biggest career victory, the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.