Allan Sharrock’s New Plymouth stable has been firing on all cylinders in recent weeks, and rising star mare Islington Lass will attempt to extend that hot run in Saturday’s Gr.3 Life Direct Trentham Stakes (2100m).

Classy mare Campionessa has flown the flag for Te Akau Racing at the top level for a number of years, but on Saturday at Trentham, her younger stablemate Qali Al Farrasha will get her time to shine contesting the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m).

A series of outstanding performances at Ellerslie last summer underpinned an award-winning three-year-old season for Orchestral, and trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood hope Sunday’s Auckland Co-Op Taxis (1400m) will set her up for more of the same in 2025.

Wexford Stables are in an enviable position as far as quality three-year-olds go, with an abundance of gilt-edged prospects in contention for summer age group features.

Trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson were left perplexed following Domain Ace’s subpar performance at Ellerslie last month, and they are hoping their $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) contender can return to form at Trentham on Saturday.

Promising juvenile Tale Of The Gypsy will head to Ellerslie on Sunday for the first time with an aim to return to the venue later this month for a shot at a million-dollar prize.

Progressive stayer Myla has hit a purple patch of form this summer, putting together a winning streak that trainers Moira and Kieran Murdoch hope she can extend in Friday’s Ray White Greerton (2100m) at Tauranga.

Glamour colt Savaglee will commence an exciting summer programme at Trentham on Saturday, taking his place in the Gr.2 Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m).

Donna Logan will return to her old stomping ground of Ruakaka on Tuesday to resume her training career in New Zealand after plying her trade in Singapore for the last seven years.

Eye-catching galloper Mad Max delivered on the promise he showed early in his career with a rewarding maiden victory for Andrew Forsman at Otaki on Monday.

It may have taken Ruakaka mare Pure Delight 24 starts to break through for her maiden victory, but she did it in style at her home track on Tuesday when taking out the Trigg Construction Northland Cup (2100m).

Following a lucrative spring campaign in Sydney, multiple Group One winner Belclare has returned to New Zealand in a bid to secure her third successive Gr.1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) crown at Ellerslie on Champions Day in March.

Roger James and Robert Wellwood have spent plenty of time in the three-year-old spotlight in the last couple of seasons, and the Cambridge trainers unveiled another bright prospect in Saturday’s Thames Valley Insurance 3YO (1150m) at Te Aroha.

Star filly Captured By Love continued her preparation towards another Group One goal with an impressive exhibition gallop at Te Aroha on Saturday.