A year after winning a maiden steeplechase on the biggest jumping day on the Hawke’s Bay calendar, Torque Time will head back to Hastings on Saturday in search of a bigger prize.

Proven flat performer Helena Baby continued his flawless transition to jumping with another easy victory in Thursday’s $30,000 The Bottle-O Te Aroha Hurdles (3100m).

Scotty Macnab looks forward to competing in The New Zealand Hunts’ Association Duke Of Gloucester Cup (2100m) every season, and he will be aiming for a third crown in the iconic amateurs event on Saturday at Hastings.

Cambridge trainer Chris Wood will have strong chances on the flat and over jumps this week at three different venues.

Mont Ventoux may have won seven races and more than $170,000 on the flat, but the eight-year-old gelding is finding it a bit harder to break maiden ranks over fences.

The 2023-24 season has produced a long line of placings for Waipukurau owner-trainer Lucy de Lautour, who is set to make her presence felt again with two well-credentialled runners at Te Aroha on Sunday.

Promising jumper Auld Jock could earn a place in his first prestige jumping assignment with a strong showing on Sunday at Te Aroha.

Chilli Con Khan could have been described as leftovers at one point in her life but was given a chance by Murray Garrett and the Pukekohe trainer was rewarded with an impressive maiden win at his home track on Wednesday.

Matamata trainer Paul Richards will head north to Pukekohe on Wednesday with just the one runner, but he is hoping that is enough to add to his season haul of six victories.

Promising three-year-old Eliud is expected to relish the step up to a middle distance when he makes his Australian debut on Saturday.

Elson Boy continued his stunning run of form at the weekend to set up a winning offshore double for Kiltannon Stables.

A Heavy 10 track at Pukekohe Park was the key to Loch Katrine’s biggest career success as a juvenile, and the filly will meet the same conditions when contesting the SkyCity Horizon 1600 on Wednesday.

Bargain buy Dusty Road continues to reward his connections and another top showing is expected from the talented performer this weekend.

Veteran Timaru trainer Leonard Stewart is set to feature prominently at his local meeting on Sunday, with 11 runners entered across the nine-race programme at Phar Lap Raceway.