The trial for the man accused of murdering a couple in the Auckland suburb of Ellerslie two years ago has begun Lok Fung Lorrence Li, 27, is charged alongside Shu Man Poon, 43, for the killing of Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and his wife Mei Han Chong at their home in November 2023 The pair are also charged with conspiring to murder another person in a separate incident Proceedings were due to start on Monday but were delayed Jury selection was underway in the High Court at Auckland before Justice David Johnstone Police found Kwok's body in their Ellerslie home after he had been stabbed several times Chong's body was found days later in the Greenhithe area A post-mortem revealed she died from blunt force injuries to her head The couple moved to New Zealand from Hong Kong in 1988 Chong had been a nurse before becoming a midwife and was a supportive mother to her and Kwok's son - their only child Kwok was an orthopaedic nurse for many years and was "happy in his own world" and cared about supporting his family and doing a good job Police at the time described the killing as beyond comprehension for the family "Joseph and Mei were a loving couple whose careers involved helping other people," said Detective Inspector Scott Beard while addressing media at the time The Crown was expected to deliver opening remarks later on Thursday A lengthy list of witnesses called for the trial was read out to the potential jury and heard pleas of not guilty from Li as he stood the dock Justice Johnstone urged jurors not the investigate the case themselves outside of court or on the internet "I know that that may sound like I'm being obstructive," Johnstone said "But the idea is to assist with the fairness of the trial and the correctness of the trial because you need to judge the case based on the evidence that we all hear or see here in court..." Police have this morning released further details about the deaths of Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and Mei Han Chong saying their murders are "beyond comprehension" for the family The second man charged with murdering Auckland couple Fuk Fu Joseph Kwok and Mei Han Chong has been given interim name suppression Neighbours of the man who was found dead at his home in Ellerslie say they are frightened by the incident The man killed in a suspected homicide in Auckland earlier this week has been named by police New Zealand RSS Follow RNZ News Lok Fung Lorrence Li, 27, had pleaded not guilty to murdering Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and wife Mei Han Chong and conspiring to murder another woman months prior. Proceedings were due to start on Monday, but were delayed, with Li's trial commencing on Thursday. However, on Friday, the trial was suspended and the jury were discharged. Justice David Johnstone said a new trial will be held for Li at a later date. Mei Han Chong, left, and Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok. (Source: NZ Police ) The trial of a man accused of murdering an Auckland couple in their Ellerslie home in November 2023 has been suspended. Crooks culture first order of business for Mike Bush in Victoria Bush picked to take over as Victoria's chief commissioner after months of top-level staffing woes Crime and Justice Police experts warn 'emerging risk' of 3D-printed firearms rising Technology has outpaced a currently underway review of the Arms Act and criminals are already taking advantage US prisons bureau has challenges — reopening Alcatraz is now another Juliana Herrera's family tell inquest: 'Stop repeating avoidable mistakes' was murdered in January 2022 by her neighbour Health Arrest after person assaulted A nurse leaving her shift last month was held up at gunpoint outside the grounds of the hospital More than 25kg cocaine seizure leads to four arrests across NZ Tauranga and Auckland as a result of the six-week investigation Film industry anxiously awaits details on Trump's 100% movie tariff 7:17pm Search underway for Masterton man, 74, missing since Sunday 7:07pm Crooks, culture first order of business for Mike Bush in Victoria 7:05pm Charges filed against Woolworths over pricing, misleading specials 6:45pm Police, experts warn 'emerging risk' of 3D-printed firearms rising 6:33pm Trade war: Sir John Key's 'optimism' on Trump's next tariff moves 7:28pm 1US woman who disappeared for more than six decades found safe Sole survivor of poisoned beef Wellington takes the stand Two men's shared name brings years of trouble and a hefty bill to one New Zealand's Cardinal John Dew prepares to go into conclave Photos: Lorde among stars at 2025 Met Gala A$AP Rocky and Rihanna also revealed they are expecting their third child. Two arrested over alleged plot targeting Lady Gaga concert in RioBrazilian police said they thwarted an alleged bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga's concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Lady Gaga rocks Copacabana Beach with free concert for over 2 million fansSun, May 4 Lorde announces new album name, dateThu, May 1 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robberyMon, Apr 28 Chubby Checker, Outkast, Cyndi Lauper join Rock & Roll Hall of FameMon, Apr 28 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robberyMon The trial of a man accused of murdering an Auckland couple in their Ellerslie home in November 2023 has been suspended had pleaded not guilty to murdering Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and wife Mei Han Chong and conspiring to murder another woman months prior with Li's trial commencing on Thursday the trial was suspended and the jury were discharged Justice David Johnstone said a new trial will be held for Li at a later date The next top cop of the troubled Victoria police force embraces his "outsider" status to curb its leadership malaise and has a stern warning for crooks Former New Zealand Police commissioner Mike Bush won the race to become Victoria's chief commissioner after months of top-level staffing woes The 40-year police veteran steps into the role on June 27 with a five-year contract The Kiwi conceded the job will be no picnic with Victoria's crime rate hitting an almost decade-high in 2024 everyone knows that," he told reporters today "These crime issues are actually global they are quite similar wherever you go but it's not good enough just to turn up after the act Rising youth crime and high-profile cases of alleged offenders committing crimes while on bail spurred the Victorian government to strengthen laws in March Bush said he was familiar with the crackdown but bail laws were just one part of the solution to tackling youth crime along with a "prevention mindset" He retired from the NZ police force in 2020 after joining in 1978 and spending his final six years in the top job Whakaari/White Island volcano eruption and Covid-19 pandemic were among the biggest crises Bush confronted during his tenure Bush also made headlines in 2022 after it emerged he had a past drink-driving conviction when unsuccessfully applying to become head of the UK's Metropolitan Police Former New Zealand police minister Stuart Nash describedr Bush as hard but fair He said Bush regularly met with police forces across the Tasman in his previous role and recalled travelling with him to every district across New Zealand once a year to chew the fat with communities and then we all had biscuits and a cup of tea," Nash told AAP "Mike is someone who had deep credibility in policing." The state government has not handed the reins of Victoria Police to an outsider since former NSW Police assistant commissioner Christine Nixon in 2001 The Kiwi was happy to wear the "outsider" tag and is already hatching plans to hit the ground running "I've got a lot to do to come up to speed," Bush said "Culture is a consequence of leadership." establishing relationships with community groups amid rising tensions and increasing police visibility on the beat were among his other top initial priorities Victoria Police was thrust into leadership turmoil in February with a no-confidence vote from officers costing chief commissioner Shane Patton his job Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent became acting chief and expressed an interest in making the move permanent before throwing in the towel in April Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill will serve in an acting capacity until Bush takes over Bush intends to speak with Patton before starting and said he wouldn't shy away from pushing back if he disagreed with the government Premier Jacinta Allan said a recruitment agency was hired and instructed to find a leader capable of addressing the "challenges" plaguing the force "Mike Bush is the best person for the job," she said whose union led the no-confidence vote against Patton following a bitter pay dispute admitted there was a disconnect between members and leaders The state police union secretary welcomed Mr Bush's appointment and pledge to listen to the mounting workforce concerns "We have a police force that is currently under-resourced that needs fresh officers," he said Eleven inmate deaths in less than two months A US$3 billion (NZ$5 billion) repair backlog a stunning directive from President Donald Trump for the crisis-plagued federal Bureau of Prisons to “REBUILD AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!” — the notorious penitentiary on an island in San Francisco Bay that last held inmates more than 60 years ago Even as the Bureau of Prisons struggles with short staffing chronic violence and crumbling infrastructure at its current facilities Trump is counting on the agency to fulfill his vision of rebooting the infamously inescapable prison known in movies and pop culture as The Rock Trump declared in a social media post that a “substantially enlarged and rebuilt” Alcatraz will house the nation’s “most ruthless and violent Offenders” Newly appointed Bureau of Prisons Director William K Marshall III said that the agency “will vigorously pursue all avenues to support and implement the President’s agenda” and that he has ordered “an immediate assessment to determine our needs and the next steps” We look forward to restoring this powerful symbol of law and justice,” Marshall said in a statement “We will be actively working with our law enforcement and other federal partners to reinstate this very important mission.” an 8.9-hectare spit of land with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline was once the crown jewel of the federal prison system and home to some of the nation’s most notorious criminals including gangsters Al Capone and George Machine Gun Kelly But skyrocketing repair and supply costs compelled the Justice Department to close the prison in 1963 and the Bureau of Prisons has long since replaced Alcatraz with modern penitentiaries including a maximum-security prison in Florence The former and perhaps future penitentiary is now a popular tourist attraction and a national historic landmark It’s controlled by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area meaning the Bureau of Prisons could be in for an interagency tug of war if it tries to wrest away control of the island Trump’s Alcatraz directive is yet another challenge for the Bureau of Prisons as it struggles to fix lingering problems while responding to the president’s priorities on incarceration and immigrant detention includes taking in thousands of immigration detainees under an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security The problems at the Bureau of Prisons transcend administrations and facilities An ongoing Associated Press investigation has uncovered deep previously unreported flaws within the Bureau of Prisons over the last few years including widespread criminal activity by employees and severe understaffing that has hampered responses to emergencies then-President Joe Biden signed a law strengthening oversight of the agency It remains the Justice Department’s largest agency 155,000 inmates and an annual budget of about US$8 billion (NZ$13.4 billion) but the Trump administration’s cost-cutting measures have eliminated some pay bonuses that were credited with retaining and attracting new staff That has resulted in long overtime shifts for some workers and the continued use of a policy known as augmentation teachers and other workers are pressed into duty to guard inmates A Bureau of Prisons official told Congress at a hearing in February that more than 4000 beds within the system — the equivalent of at least two full prisons — are unusable because of dangerous conditions like leaking or failing roofs a 37-year-old Florida businessman who was found dead April 28 in a suspected suicide at a federal jail in Miami He was awaiting trial on charges that he kidnapped and killed his estranged wife in Spain inmate Ramadhan Jaabir Justice was killed in a fight at the federal penitentiary in Pollock where he was serving a nearly 11-year sentence for a conviction related to an armed robbery As Trump was ordering Alcatraz’s reopening correctional officers at the same Miami jail were fighting to curb the spread of tuberculosis and Covid-19 isolating inmates after they tested positive for the diseases immigration detainees at the facility ripped out a fire sprinkler and flooded a holding cell during a lengthy intake process the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin has sat idle for more than a year after the Bureau of Prisons cleared it of inmates in the wake of rampant sexual abuse by employees the agency made the closure permanent and idled six prison camps across the country to address “significant challenges crumbling infrastructure and limited budgetary resources” While Trump hails Alcatraz as a paragon of the federal prison system’s cherished past other facilities stand as reminders of its recent troubles They include the federal jail in Manhattan which remains idle after Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide there in 2019 exposed deep flaws in its operations where 23 inmates have been charged in recent months with crimes ranging from smuggling weapons in a Doritos bag to the stabbing last month of a man convicted in the killing of hip-hop legend Jam Master Jay A person is in custody after an alleged theft which left a person injured on the grounds of Palmerston North Hospital Police said officers were called to a Ruahine St carpark about 1.30pm on Tuesday Police said the alleged offender left the scene and was found a short time later "Police would like to thank the members of the public who witnessed the incident and intervened to assist the victim," a police spokesperson said That same night a staff member was knocked unconscious Staff have been calling for security improvements Health NZ MidCentral operations group director Sarah Fenwick previously told RNZ it was committed to making staff feel safer She said these included a security escort to vehicles increasing security services on hospital grounds and "opening up" access to the staff carpark for people working afternoon and night shifts "Lighting has been audited in all outside carparking areas to ensure it is well maintained," she said "Interim access to well-lit parking onsite with dedicated security for staff working afternoon and night shifts while a more permanent solution for out-of-hours carparking is developed." rnz.co.nz More than 25kg of cocaine has been seized and four men arrested following an joint investigation into the importation of the drug into Christchurch Police and Customs received information about a "significant importation" of cocaine that had come through Lyttelton Port on March 29 Search warrants were then executed across the country by specialist teams to support investigators with evidence gathering including possession of cocaine for supply and burglary and will appear in various district courts across a range of dates Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Sparks said the seizure equated to more than 250,000 doses of cocaine and $9 million of harm "That is an enormous amount of damage and misery that had been heading into our communities that has now been halted through this investigation." Sparks said the success of the investigation was partly down to the "excellent partnership" between Customs and the police "We continue to have a focus on engaging with businesses and supporting their legitimate services by keeping them safe with prevention advice to deter drug trafficking organisations’ attempts to exploit their people and premises." Customs acting investigations manager Rachael Manning said the investigation resulted from quick action and close collaboration between the agencies as well as industry partners "We know that transnational and serious organised crime groups are actively targeting New Zealand to drive up both demand and supply of illegal drugs such as cocaine for maximum profit They’re using every method possible to exploit any vulnerabilities within international supply chains in secure areas or on vessels themselves." A search and rescue operation is underway for a Masterton man in his 70s missing since Sunday John Rafferty was last seen at Masterton Railway Station about midday on May 4 The 74-year-old did not board a train and left on foot about 20 minutes later Matheson said it was possible Rafferty was staying with a friend but police and loved ones "want to know he’s safe" and John doesn’t have his cell phone or wallet," he said A search team and a helicopter has been out looking for the missing man "We are really keen to know that he’s safe." Police have released an image from CCTV showing Rafferty on a station platform on the day of his disappearance He was wearing a blue jacket with 'NASA' written on the back Anyone who saw him was asked to contact police on 111 or online at 105 if there was Information after the fact The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges against Woolworths NZ for alleged inaccurate pricing and misleading specials that may have breached the Fair Trading Act The commission filed the charges against Woolworths in the Auckland District Court It indicated in December last year that it would be filing separate criminal charges against Woolworths and two Pak'nSave supermarkets the commission said there were ongoing issues with pricing in the supermarket sector and the operators may have breached the Fair Trading Act deputy chair Anne Callinan said operators should know what the expectations were "Supermarkets have long been on notice about the importance of accurate and clear pricing and specials and we're not satisfied with the continuing issues we're seeing across the industry "Pricing accuracy is a consumer right and an expectation of a competitive market well-resourced businesses that should invest the time and effort to get pricing and promotions right." She said the charges were filed to remind all supermarkets that they are expected to fix the pricing accuracy issues and implement better processes In a statement when the charges were announced Woolworths managing director Spencer Sonn said it was important customers could trust prices advertised at their supermarkets Woolworths said it has cooperated with the Commerce Commission's pricing investigation for some time rnz.co.nz Former prime minister Sir John Key says he remains optimistic about Donald Trump's domestic economic policy despite opposing the tariff strategy that has sent global markets into turmoil in recent months who served as prime minister for eight years was the keynote speaker at an Auckland business summit earlier today Sir John told 1News he believed Trump would ultimately take a more moderate approach to tariffs than initially proposed "I'm not a fan of tariff policies I don't think they really work," he said as I think the stock market is telling you at the moment that actually there will be a more sensible landing place for the tariffs that he's wanting to impose." Sir John said he "wasn't entirely surprised" at Trump's call to go ahead with the policy "They're just a negotiating point I think he simply put on widespread and high rates of tariffs on every country to give himself a leverage point and a negotiating point "What I think he actually grossly underestimated was the stock market reaction You can actually make the case that his own strategy hasn't worked The reason the markets have recovered is because he's taken those tariffs off the most part 'I'm going to negotiate case by case'." Sir John suggested Trump's economic policies could still generally be positive for the US but the tariffs could be trickier for the global economy Asked whether he stood by his October comments that Trump would be good for the economy he said: "Do I think he's going to reduce regulatory burden in the United States It depends on where things shake down in terms of tariffs." Sir John acknowledged that for certain industries Trump's policies could be "a really negative thing" particularly if the president's proposed 100% tariff on the film industry were to be implemented "I can't see how it would be cost-competitive to make a movie in New Zealand with a 100% tariff on it," he said noting that films such as The Hobbit would not have been made in New Zealand without government subsidies who now served as a director of US tech company Palo Alto Networks said he had "always been opposed" to Trump's tariff policies but believes they won't be the "dominant part of his economic solutions" "I don't think it's perfect from New Zealand's point of view but I don't think we should panic either and America will still be a very big market for us to sell things to," he said "There are growing markets around the world It's not a great thing from New Zealand's point of view We've got a very sound economy with lots of options in front of us." Sir John suggested a belief that the Republican Trump was was better "on balance" for the US economy than Democratic opponent Kamala Harris he expressed concerns about Trump's tariff approach: "China doesn't pay those tariffs middle-income consumers or consumers in America do because when a tariff goes on a good that you bring into a country He added: "I don't agree with the massive tariffs and I don't think you'll follow through with all of that and I certainly don't agree with this view on trade." Audrey Backeberg disappeared from a small city in south-central Wisconsin after reportedly hitchhiking with her family’s babysitter and catching a bus to Indianapolis Nobody ever knew where she went or what happened to her All that changed last week when she was found alive and safe in another state thanks to the fresh eyes from a deputy who took over the case in February Detective Isaac Hanson discovered an out-of-state arrest record that matched Backeberg which triggered a series of investigative moves that led to finding her alive and safe in another state Turns out Backeberg chose to leave the town of Reedsburg on her own accord – likely due to an abusive husband safe and secure; And just kind of lived under the radar for that long,” he said Hanson was assigned the case in late February and he and other officials met with Backeberg’s family to see if they had a connection with that region They also started digging through Backeberg's sister's Ancestry.com account obituaries and marriage licenses from that region they found an address where a woman was living that Hanson said shared a lot of similarities with Backeberg including date of birth and social security number Hanson was able to get a deputy from that jurisdiction to go to the address "I was expecting the deputy to call me back and say ‘Oh nobody answered the door.’ And I thought it was the deputy calling me I could sense that she obviously had her reasons for leaving.” Most of the information he learned during that call he declined to share saying that it was still important to Backeberg that she not be found “I think it overwhelmed her of course with the emotions that she had having a deputy show up at her house and then kind of call her out and talk with her about what happened and kind of relive 62 years in 45 minutes,” he said Hanson described discovering her safe after more than six decades practically unheard of And while he doesn't know what will happen next in terms of her family reconnecting he said he was happy that she can reach out if she wants to so she has my contact number if she ever wants to reach out or needs anything any phone numbers of family members back here," he said "Ultimately she kind of holds the cards for that.” Shane William Pritchard has been charged with crimes he didn’t commit and chased for debts he doesn’t owe That’s because the Dunedin man is not the only Shane William Pritchard in town While the duo’s shared name and age has sometimes been a handy loophole for one Shane for the other it has caused problems for 36 years It’s been years of fearing every knock on the door Years of wondering if he’ll be hand-cuffed and taken to jail to be honest,” says Shane William Pritchard a scout and a member of the Air Training Corp remembers getting quite a shock when her friend called one evening She'd been acting as a referee for a gun licence for Shane whose friend informed her that the police had a long list of offences against Shane’s name Not long after that the police turned up to where Shane was working at the local tannery to arrest him “You're scrambling in your head to think of ways that you can prove it's not you.” Another Shane William Pritchard had been born in Otago They were separated by just two weeks and about 50 miles – one growing up in Mosgiel the other in Milton – but also by the lives they’d been leading To watch the full video story go to TVNZ+ Shane from Milton had huge problems focusing at school He was raised in foster care and then boys’ homes I just wanted to look cool and get in trouble,” he tells Fair Go Milton Shane was used to run-ins with police he got pulled over in his car and asked about his driving licence one’s got a licence and the other hasn’t.’ And I’m like ‘obviously it must be the one with a licence’.” he went to his bank to draw out an ACC payment and was asked which bank account was his He says that at that point he was trying to figure out what was going on “I thought it was just an error.” But he took advantage of the situation and withdrew a large sum of cash Mosgiel Shane became aware of the withdrawal when a scheduled car payment was declined and when Milton Shane turned up at the bank to withdraw more money Identity fraud was considered but Milton Shane was legitimately expecting an ACC payment so the withdrawal appeared to be a genuine mistake and the police couldn’t take any action 'Anything I could get away with Mosgiel Shane thought the bank incident would have alerted police to the problem But his nemesis had cottoned on to the advantages of having a second identity to use Milton Shane acquired a suite of furniture on hire-purchase Milton-Shane clocked up more driving offences Mosgiel Shane thought about changing his name but realised he’d have to provide his previous name in the process the courts and debt collectors such as Baycorp should be able to distinguish between himself and Milton Shane The police first addressed the issue in the 1990s after Mosgiel Shane went to the media He was given a letter to carry with him should he be apprehended He and his parents felt his situation wasn’t being taken seriously Mosgiel Shane went to the media a second time in the mid-2000s the police gave their word that a record in their system would stop the misidentification from happening again This does appear to have worked as far as police action goes But while Mosgiel Shane was given the same reassurance by the Ministry of Justice he continued to receive demands from the courts for unpaid fines He’d also get stopped and questioned whenever he left the country for work trips or holidays It took a huge toll on Mosgiel Shane’s mental health not realising the constant stress it placed on his life John Pritchard says that at times his son felt his life wasn’t worth living worrying about what he was going to do to himself and that really ate me up.” he and his son were in tears as Shane admitted he was at breaking point He described going for days at a time unable to eat or sleep wondering what might happen next "Am I going to be in a position where they've got me in handcuffs or I've got debt collectors coming to the door?" ...You're spiralling into this black hole." He started taking anti-anxiety medication which helped And events regarding Milton Shane seemed to settle Milton Shane was charged for fishing without a licence in Twizel and failing to comply with fisheries officers But a court registrar incorrectly entered the birth date of Mosgiel Shane in the system both Shanes were being chased to pay the $1530 fine It was Mosgiel Shane who spotted the error and rang the court He also sent a statement from his manager saying he’d not been fishing in Twizel that day The reply he got was to say he’d been given the wrong form and that they wouldn’t accept his proof They just wanted to know how I was going to pay the fine.” The first Milton Shane knew about this was when Fair Go told him Mosgiel Shane had been chased for the fine He was told to pay up or face the consequences feeling he shouldn’t have to pay good money to correct someone else’s mistake But it cost Mosgiel Shane over $5000 in legal fees and took months of back and forth between him “Why should anybody have to pay their own money to right somebody else's wrongs and prove who they are I’m sick and tired of proving who I am all the time.” He wanted the Ministry of Justice to take responsibility and reimburse him for his legal costs saying court staff such as the registrar in this case have immunity if they make mistakes such as the one made here and if I make a mistake and it's affecting my client that it's going to cost them money to rectify a mistake that I've made.” he deserves a million apologies from those guys,” she says Milton Shane told Fair Go he still gets in trouble but wants the other Shane to know he doesn’t use his birth date anymore And he had a message for him: “We’ve got to get it sorted for you so you can have a good life with you and your family because I’m trying to get my life together with my son and my grandson” He offers to meet to see if they can sort it out together but I’m not interested in meeting him,.” says Mosgiel Shane He says he doesn’t hold any grudges and accepts Milton Shane’s apology And he believes the only way for that to happen is for the courts and the Ministry of Justice to give him a guarantee that mix-ups won’t occur in the future Fair Go asked the Ministry of Justice to appear in person to apologise and provide reassurance to Shane of its plans to guard against these mistakes The Ministry declined our request to be on camera saying any comment on an individual case would compromise the independence of the courts as the Ministry operates separately But it did send a written apology directly to Mosgiel Shane It also admitted mistakes can occur in clerical records but said instructions were clear and the importance of getting things right had been emphasised to staff Mosgiel Shane isn’t totally convinced that’s the end of it “All I want is for the Ministry of Justice and the courts to do their job I'd like to live without this hanging over me all the time his criminal check has come back showing a clean slate Cardinal John Dew is about to go into conclave to vote for a new pope is among the 133 cardinals gathered in the Vatican to elect a successor to Pope Francis Dew and his fellow Cardinals will be locked away from the world as they participate in daily votes in the Sistine Chapel until white smoke billows from the rooftop signalling a new pope is selected Read more about how the conclave works here He follows in the footsteps of Cardinal Reginald Delargey and Cardinal Thomas Williams - Kiwis who had previously entered conclave in 1978 and 2005 Dew said cardinals had been meeting daily to share their perspectives on the needs of the church and what qualities a new pope would need to possess to address said needs “Listening to what everyone is saying and the kind of person they're looking for to hear the passion that people have for spreading the work of the Gospel,” Dew said “I think one of the things that a new pope will need to do is to continue to try and give hope to the world “But as well as being the leader of the Church he needs to be a world leader who's prepared to speak out and in this world of disinformation and misinformation and sometimes lies Dew said other cardinals who had previously participated in conclavce described the centuries-old tradition as "divinely inspired" “A couple of the cardinals actually said you can go into the conclave and even have some ideas but it's only after a vote or two that things start to clarify,” he recalled but it became very clear that he was the one They described that as the work of Holy Spirit “And the fact that you're in a place where you have no contact with anybody else – no cell phones no iPads – the whole thing becomes a bit like a retreat and a real time of prayer.” Dew said finding a successor among a sea of so many contenders also had him feeling some "apprehension" the fact that this only happens once every few years and it has incredible consequences for the Church and for the world Lady Gaga gave a free concert Saturday night in front of 2 million fans who poured onto Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career (...) Thank you for making history with me,” Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd kicked off the show at around 22.10pm local time with her 2011 song Bloody Mary Cries of joy rose from the tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the vast stretch of sand Concert organisers said 2.1 million people attended the show switching between an array of dresses including one with the colours of the Brazilian flag Some fans – many of them young – arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot “Today is the best day of my life,” said Manoela Dobes a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019 Madonna also turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Years’ Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint John’s Day celebrations in June “It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season – filling hotels and increasing spending in bars generating jobs and income for the population,” said Osmar Lima the city’s secretary of economic development in a statement released by Rio City Hall’s tourism department last month Rio’s City Hall said in a recent report that around 1.6 million people were expected to attend Lady Gaga's concert and that the show should inject at least 600 million reais (NZ$178.3 million) into Rio’s economy Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028 Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday The city has been alive with Gaga-mania since as it geared up to welcome the pop star for her first show in the country since 2012 Rio’s metro employees danced to Lady Gaga’s 2008 hit song LoveGame and gave instructions for today in a video A free exhibition celebrating her career sold out While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show according to data from the local bus station and Tom Jobim airport Rio’s City Hall said in a statement yesterday made a cross-continent trip from Colombia to Brazil to attend the show “I’ve been a 100% fan of Lady Gaga my whole life,” said Serrano who was wearing a T-shirt featuring Lady Gaga’s outlandish costumes over the years the mega-star represents “total freedom of expression – being who one wants without shame” Rio officials have a history of organising huge concerts on Copacabana Beach Madonna’s show drew an estimated 1.6 million fans last year while 4 million people flooded onto the beach for a 1994 New Year’s Eve show by Rod Stewart in 1994 that was the biggest free rock concert in history sixteen sound towers were spread along the beach Rio state’s security plan included the presence of 3300 military and 1500 police officers Among those present were Lady Gaga admirers who remember their disappointment in 2017 when the artist cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues “She's the best artist in the world,” the 25-year-old said I love you” in Portuguese rose from the crowd behind him whose real name is Ella Yelich O'Connor which also displayed what appears to be the album cover art — an X-ray of a pelvis "100% written in blood," the website read The new album's announcement came a week after she released her latest single What Was That The song's music video was filmed at a mysterious pop-up event in New York City's Washington Square Park that was initially shut down by police. The event ended up going ahead after all, and fans who stayed got to hear the new song for the first time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorde (@lorde) It was the first sign of a follow-up to Lorde's previous album, 2021's Solar Power. Her other albums were 2013's Pure Heroine and 2017's Melodrama. Last year, she collaborated with British singer Charli XCX on a remix of Girl, so confusing — on a re-release of the Grammy award-winning Brat. Virgin is Lorde's fourth studio album. Kim Kardashian thought she was going to be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bedroom in central Paris, tied her up and stole more than US$6 million in jewellery. More than eight years later, 10 people will go on trial in Paris over the robbery, abduction and kidnapping of the media personality and the concierge of the residence where she was staying during Paris Fashion Week the night of October 2, 2016. Kardashian’s lawyers said she will testify in person at the trial starting Monday and scheduled to run through May 23. "Ms Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time," they said. "She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities. "She wishes the trial to proceed in an orderly fashion, in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case." In interviews and on her family’s reality TV show, Kardashian has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her. In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show, she tearfully recalled thinking: "This is the time I’m going to get raped. I’m like, ‘What is happening? Are we gonna die? Just tell them I have children. I have babies, I have a husband, I have a family.'" Twelve people were originally expected in the defendants’ box. One of them has died, and another is seriously ill and can't be tried. According to the investigation, five of the 10 defendants were present at the scene of the robbery. The French press has dubbed them The Granddad Robbers because the main defendants are elderly and have careers as bank robbers with long criminal records. Kardashian told investigators she was taken to a bathroom next to her bedroom and placed in the bathtub. Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot and she managed to free herself by removing the tape from her hands and mouth. She had also removed the tape from her feet and rushed to her stylist’s room. She called her sister Kourtney to tell her about the theft. Shortly afterwards, Kardashian told investigators that she had not been injured. She filed a complaint, adding that she wanted to leave France as soon as possible to be reunited with her children. According to her testimony and that of the concierge, at least one of the suspects had a handgun, with which he threatened the victims. The gangsters stole many pieces of jewellery, including a ring of great value, estimated to be worth more than US$6 million (NZ$10 million). Only one piece of jewellery — a diamond cross on platinum that was lost during the suspects' escape — has been recovered. Two of the accused have partially confessed to the crime, as their DNA was found at the crime scene. The alleged ringleader, 68-year-old Aomar Aït Khedache, is one of two suspected robbers who allegedly entered the apartment. Nicknamed "Old Omar", his genetic profile was found on the tape used to gag Kardashian. He left the hotel on a bicycle, as did two other robbers, then met his son, who was waiting for him in a parked car at a nearby train station. The second robber said he tied up the concierge with cables but did not go up to Kardashian’s apartment. Yunice Abbas, 71, said he acted as a lookout in the ground-floor reception area, making sure the escape route was clear. He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian, but admitted he shared responsibility for the crime. Abbas was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision. In 2021, he co-authored a French-language book titled I Sequestered Kim Kardashian. Didier Dubreucq, 69, known as "Blue Eyes", is the second alleged robber suspected of entering the flat. He denies any involvement, although he was filmed by CCTV cameras and numerous telephone contacts with the other co-defendants show his involvement, according to the investigation. The other defendants are suspected of providing information about Kardashian’s presence in the apartment. Others are accused of playing a role in the resale of the jewellery in Antwerp, Belgium. First-time nominees Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker and Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — in a class that also includes pop star Cyndi Lauper, the hip-hop pioneers Outkast, the rock duo the White Stripes and grunge masters Soundgarden. Salt-N-Pepa, the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status, and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award. The late record producer Thom Bell, pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award. The late Cocker, who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles’ With a Little Help From My Friends, had the backing of Billy Joel, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Pete Thomas, a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, who argued that Cocker is "about as rock and roll as it gets". Soundgarden — with the late Chris Cornell as singer — get into the Hall on their third nomination. They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall — Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Bad Company get in having become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as Feel Like Makin’ Love, Can’t Get Enough and Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy. The Ahmet Ertegun Award — given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music — will go to Lenny Waronker, a former head of Warner Bros. Records who signed Prince and R.E.M., and had a part in records from Madonna, Randy Newman, the Doobie Brothers, Rickie Lee Jones, Paul Simon and Gary Clark Jr. Some nominees that didn't get in this year included Mariah Carey, Phish, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Maná, the Black Crowes and Oasis. Checker’s recording of The Twist, and subsequent Let’s Twist Again are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock 'n' roll. The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn't been granted entry before, including telling the AP in 2014: "I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85 years old. I’ll tell them to drop dead, so you better do it quick while I’m still smiling." Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as Time After Time and Girls Just Want To Have Fun and went on to win a Tony Award for Kinky Boots. OutKast, made up of André 3000 and Big Boi, have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. The White Stripes — made up of Jack White and Meg White — were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as Seven Nation Army. Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction. The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall. Nominees were voted on by more than 1200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. The selection criteria include "an artist’s impact on other musicians, the scope and longevity of their career and body of work, as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique". Last year, Mary J. Blige, Cher, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton were inducted. 20 May 2025 16:00313404m²Love at First SightSecurely fully fenced and wrapped in lush hedging a freehold sanctuary where memories are made and life slows down just enough to savour every moment Tucked into a tightly held Ellerslie street full of heart and space for the whole family to thrive feel the warmth of native hardwood floors and sunlight streaming through every window ceiling-to-floor expansive wooden joinery adds an elegant touch and every detail has been lovingly cared for the separate foyer enhances both space and privacy Open-plan living flows seamlessly to a sun-drenched deck perfect for sipping a cocktail under the palms on a balmy evening complete with a charming playhouse that mirrors the home's character Sitting proudly on a 404sqm freehold title (more or less) Solidly constructed in native timber with contemporary finishes including a modern kitchen with subway tiles and a gas hob and an HRV system to keep you comfortable year-round It's easy to see why this pocket of Ellerslie is so sought after You'll love the welcoming community and the unbeatable location just a short stroll to Michaels Ave Reserve and Open Table café and a range of excellent kindergartens and schools all close by The keys to something special are ready and waiting Disclaimer - This property is being sold by auction and therefore a price guide can not be provided The website may have filtered the property into a price bracket for website functionality purposes All prospective purchasers shall complete their own due diligence and satisfy themselves with respect to information supplied during the marketing of this property including but not limited to: the floor and land sizes based on a borrower’s individual credit assessment.Canstar's Most Awarded Personal LoanGet a renovation loan up to $70K and bring your vision to life we can approve your home improvement loan quickly and get your renovation started Ellerslie moved up a place on the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership table with a win against Hibiscus Coast on Friday night who signed for Ellerslie from Hamilton Wanderers in pre-season scored twice in the first 17 minutes to set the Ponies on the way to victory Abby Wright added Ellerslie’s third goal to seal the points READ MORE: Phoenix game switched from Friday to Sunday after weather disrupts flights >>>> Here’s NZ Football’s 5-minute highlights reel from last.. Here’s NZ Football’s 7-minute highlights reel from last.. Auckland FC’s Guillermo May is the special guest on episode 17 of New Zealand’s weekly.. Auckland United have started the defence of their OFC Women’s Champions League title with a.. Dub Zone is back for another week of analysis Papua New Guinea have claimed the final place at August’s OFC U-16 Men’s Championship after.. A widely-admired former club and regional football administrator Here’s NZ Football’s 12-minute highlights reel from last.. May 3-9: OFC U-16 Men’s Championship – qualifying, Tonga (click here for details) May 5-18 (NZT): Auckland United at OFC Women’s Champions League, Tahiti (click here for details) May 16-18: Grand final, women’s A-League (click here for details) Monday May 19 (2.30am NZT): New Zealand U-16 men v Switzerland, FIFA Youth Series, Zurich (click here for details) Tuesday May 20 (2.30am NZT): New Zealand U-16 men v Guatemala, FIFA Youth Series, Zurich (click here for details) May 26-June 3: FIFA international window (women) May 30-June 1: Grand final, men’s A-League (click here for details) May 31-June 1: Second rounds of Chatham Cup June 2-10: FIFA international window (men) Thursday June 5 (7.30am NZT): Chile U-20 v New Zealand U-20, men’s international, Complejo Deportivo Quilín, Santiago (click here for details) Sunday June 8 (7.30am NZT): Chile U-20 v New Zealand U-20, men’s international, Complejo Deportivo Quilín, Santiago (click here for details) Sunday June 8 (11am NZT): All Whites v Côte d’Ivoire, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada (click here for details) Wednesday June 11 (9am NZT): All Whites v Ukraine, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada (click here for details) June 15-July 13: FIFA Club World Cup, United States (click here for details) Monday June 16 (6am NZT): Auckland City v Bayern Munich, FIFA Club World Cup, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio (click here for details) Saturday June 20 (6am NZT): Auckland City v Benfica, FIFA Club World Cup, Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida (click here for details) Wednesday June 24 (7am NZT): Auckland City v Boca Juniors, FIFA Club World Cup, Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee (click here for details) June 23-July 1: FIFA international window (women) July 5-6: Quarter-finals of Kate Sheppard Cup August 1-14: OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, Samoa (click here for details) August 15-30: OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, Solomon Islands (click here for details) August 16-17: Semi-finals of Kate Sheppard Cup September 2-9: FIFA international window (men) September 17-24: University of Auckland at FISU Men’s Football World Cup September 20-24: OFC Futsal Men’s Cup September 21-October 4: OFC U-19 Women’s Championship September 27-October 19: FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup September 27-28: Season starts for men’s and women’s National Leagues October 7-15: FIFA international window (men) Wednesday October 15 (k/o TBC): Norway v All Whites, international friendly, Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway (click here for details) October 17-November 8: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Morocco (click here for details) October 20-28: FIFA international window (women) November 4-28 (NZT): FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup, Qatar (click here for details) November 10-18: FIFA international window (men) November 17-22: OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League November 21-December 7: FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, Philippines (click here for details) 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Oceania qualifiers December 13-14: Grand finals of men’s and women’s National Leagues June 12-July 20 (NZT): FIFA Men’s World Cup © 2025 Friends of Football Site designed by Hurricane Press Ltd using - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP The circus is coming to the Ellerslie War Memorial Hall the hall will be home to The Dust Palace Charitable Trust The trust will take over from Auckland Council with venue bookings continuing to provide space for community hire and will run its popular circus classes from the hall These classes include aerial and ground-based circus skills for complete beginners through to advanced students with youth and adult courses available from late April says the hall is a building rich with a history of stories “We look forward to working with the Ōrākei Local Board as well as our Ellerslie families and people The new three-year lease was granted at Ōrākei Local Board’s February business meeting and will begin once the current maintenance and upgrades of the hall are completed “We welcome them to the community and look forward to seeing the next chapter of arts and culture thrive in Ellerslie.” Ellerslie War Memorial Hall is currently undergoing a makeover which will see the community space benefit from bathroom and kitchen renewals refreshed dressing rooms and ticket booth area These renewals are expected to be finished ahead of The Dust Palace Charitable Trust taking on the lease on 1 April Sign up for the Ōrākei Local Board e-news and get the monthly update straight to your inbox, or follow us on Facebook © Auckland Council 2025 All rights reserved For more information on what data is contained in the cookies please click the 'Find out more on the Auckland Council website' button Sign up for our e-newsletter and be the first to know about exciting events and news The trial for the pair accused of murdering a couple in the Auckland suburb of Ellerslie two years ago is due to begin this morning are charged with the killing of Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and his wife Mei Han Chong at their home in November 2023 Police found Kwok's body in their Ellerslie home with a post-mortem revealing she died from blunt force injuries to her head police described the killing as beyond comprehension for the family Additional charges have been filed against Li and Poon for conspiring to murder another person The trial is set for the High Court at Auckland today Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday One of the men charged with murdering an Auckland couple can now be named Lok Fung Lorrence Li is one of the pair accused of killing an Auckland couple in their Ellerslie home The 42-year old man charged with the murder of a husband and wife in the Auckland suburb of Ellerslie has been granted interim name suppression After a minor fender bender led to a Disputes Tribunal case North Shore Hospital orthopaedic nurse Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok asked that his personal details not be released to the other driver and the Ministry of Justice emailed Lok Fung Lorrence Li the information on November 1 Kwok and his wife were killed in their Ellerslie home jurors were told today as Li’s trial for their murders began in the High Court at Auckland has pleaded not guilty to counts of murdering Kwok and his wife referred to as “Mrs Kwok” during the Crown’s opening address this afternoon He also denied taking part in a months-long conspiracy to murder his former landlord who is expected to give evidence later in the six-week trial “I wasn’t even able to walk – how can I kill people?” Li allegedly said when police arrived at his home days after the killings as he allegedly prepared to leave the country via a flight to Hong Kong But prosecutor Harrison Bell said CCTV footage messages between the two suspects and phone location data tell a different story “They were in that home [where the couple lived] for over two hours,” Bell said Kwok was shot in the head with an air pistol about four times and suffered a series of fatal stab wounds died from blunt-force trauma before her body was stuffed in the couple’s car and driven away is not on trial beside Li for reasons that cannot currently be reported But jurors would still see him in person and get to know him in the coming weeks he provided the police with a statement and he will appear as a witness in this trial,” Bell said explaining that he expected Poon to discuss the alleged murder plan “and Today marks the first time authorities have publicly discussed the alleged motivation for the killings The defendants are alleged to have first directed their anger at Li’s former landlord discussing plans to murder her over a five-month period after Li moved out of the North Shore home in June 2023 A dispute had arisen after Li asked if his mother could also stay there and the homeowner declined the request in which they allegedly prepared for the crime In the early hours of November 2 that year Li and Poon arrived stealthily at the home of Li’s former landlord and spray-painted the lens of her CCTV unit as part of a plan to murder her Li had received Kwok’s address from the Ministry of Justice “Their murderous plan shifted from [the landlord] to Mr Kwok and then Mrs Kwok,” Bell said explaining that the couple were killed early on November 5 after Li and Poon broke into their home instead drove to Auckland after his parents failed to arrive for one of their frequent visits Chong’s body was found dumped in the bush in Greenhithe several days later The landlord’s CCTV cameras weren’t working at the time they were spray-painted along with sensor lights but CCTV footage from neighbours would show the defendants lingering outside the property The two were also allegedly caught on CCTV outside Kwok and Chong’s home on the night they were killed “They enter and exit that driveway multiple times,” Bell said adding that the pair finally walked down the driveway at 1.37am - shortly after which neighbours would recall a series of loud bangs prosecutors said Li and Poon shared media articles about the homicide investigation and Li mentioned a plan to leave the country Photos later found on his phone included a placemat from inside the Ellerslie home and a photo of the bush area where Chong was found police found an air pistol with DNA matching Kwok’s It was not known which defendant inflicted the fatal wounds to Kwok and Chong Bell told jurors as his opening address came to a close As long as jurors found the men aided or encouraged each other to kill the couple Lorraine Smith and Christopher Wilkinson-Smith will have an opportunity to give a brief opening statement at midday tomorrow when the trial resumes before Justice David Johnstone and the jury Craig Kapitan is an Auckland-based journalist covering courts and justice He joined the Herald in 2021 and has reported on courts since 2002 in three newsrooms in the US and New Zealand Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday. No one knew he'd fallen after a guard rail gave way while he was loading containers. Auckland CitySet Date of Sale (unless sold prior)414136m²1,131m²Prime Freehold Opportunity - 1131m2Welcome to a rare and exciting opportunity in the heart of Ellerslie Situated proudly on a substantial 1131sqm (more or less) freehold section this elevated site offers sweeping sun-soaked views and endless potential Whether you're a developer seeking your next project or a family dreaming of space Zoned Mixed Housing Suburban under the Auckland Unitary Plan this site opens the door to a variety of development possibilities (subject to council approval) it's a prime candidate for multi-dwelling development in a high-demand suburb you're free to focus on unlocking the full value of the site with confidence Onsite sits a timeless 4-bedroom character home It's the perfect canvas for renovation or restoration • Zoned for highly sought-after Ellerslie Primary and One Tree Hill College • Easy walking distance to Ellerslie Village with its vibrant cafes • Just minutes from the train station and key motorway access for a seamless commute This exceptional property is for sale by Set Date of Sale giving you the freedom to present conditional offers Don't miss your chance to secure one of Ellerslie's most versatile and exciting landholdings Contact Nick or Georgia today for the full information pack or to arrange a private viewing Crown prosecutors claim a road rage incident led to the murder of an Auckland couple two years ago. Lok Fung Lorrence Li is charged, alongside Shu Man Poon, in the murder of Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and his wife Mei Han Chong at their home in November 2023. The pair are also charged with conspiring to murder Li's landlady in a separate incident, after she refused to let his mother stay at the property. Proceedings were due to start on Monday, but were delayed, with Li's trial commencing today. Li pleaded not guilty to the charges, appearing in the High Court in Auckland today before a jury selected that morning and Justice David Johnstone. In his opening remarks, Crown prosecutor Harrison Bell said Li and Kwok were in a road rage accident months before the murders. "Mr Li had been involved in a minor traffic accident with Mr Kwok some 11 months prior," Bell said. "There was minimal damage to either vehicle. "Mr Kwok's insurer had informed Mr Li that Mr Li was at fault, proceedings were lodged with the disputes tribunal and, as a result of that, the defendant Mr Li, together with Mr Poon, went to Mr Kwok's address, intending to kill him." Bell said the pair had originally conspired to kill Li's former landlady, Jing Chen, when she declined to let his mother stay at the property, after which Li moved out. Li and Poon then allegedly plotted to kill Chen, driving to her property, and using spray paint to block out security cameras and sensor lights. They were scared off by a car driving down the road, Bell said. The Crown claimed messages between Poon and Li, located on Li's phone, discussed their plan to kill Li's former landlady, including tools they'd need, like night-vision goggles, handcuffs and waste bags. They also discussed Poon giving Li a gun. The pair shifted their focus to Kwok, after his address was shared in an email from the Ministry of Justice, relating to the traffic accident and disputes tribunal. Kwok had asked his address be kept confidential, but the tribunal declined this. Bell said Li and Poon drove to Ellerslie, where they shot Kwok with an air-pistol, and stabbed him four times in the chest and once in the neck. Bell claimed they also assaulted Chong, killing her with blunt force trauma to the head. Poon and Li then allegedly put Chong's body in the back of the family's vehicle, leaving Kwok on the floor of his house. They dumped her body in a bushy area of Greenhithe. Bell said Kwok's body was discovered by their son, who had gone to check on his parents. "He arrived and noticed their car wasn't in the driveway," Bell said. "He entered the house, noticing the second lock wasn't used and the gate was ajar. "He entered, noticed his father laying on the floor — the smell of death, as he describes it — he searched for his mother, but couldn't find her and called for help." Bell claimed CCTV footage was captured of Li and Poon arriving at the Kwoks' home on Celtic Crt early in the morning. They parked on the road opposite the driveway in a vehicle with stolen licence plates and made their way inside. "Forensic evidence in this trial will show that Mr Kwok was assaulted and killed with the use of an air pistol and a bladed object, the Crown's position being Mr Poon and Mr Li had those items on them, when they entered the address that morning." Bell conceded the Crown could not say which of the two delivered the killing blow to the victims. "In this case, the Crown relies on a provision in the Crimes Act, known as Party Liability," he said. Poon was arrested in Hamilton, leading police to where he and Li allegedly dumped Chong's body. Police then arrested Li, who denied knowing about the murders. "I wasn't even able to walk, how can I kill people?" Li allegedly told police. "I did not do it, I don't know what happened." Officers also spoke to a man at the scene of the arrest, who claimed he was meant to pick up Li and take him to Auckland International Airport. 'Grave concerns' for wife of Auckland man found dead in homePolice fear Mei Han Chong following the violent death of her husband Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok Second man accused of killing Auckland couple can now be namedFuk-Fu Joseph Kwok His wife Mei Han Chong was also found dead – kilometres away and days later Tribute paid to Auckland man 'mercilessly' killed on his birthdayA colleague of Fuk Fu Joseph Kwok said he was an "excellent theatre nurse" who was supposed to work one last shift before going on holiday rnz.co.nz Police fear the wife of a man killed in Auckland's Ellerslie over the weekend may also be the victim of foul play Detective Inspector Scott Beard said this afternoon he believed the death of Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok He was found dead by a family member on Monday evening our inquiries to date suggest that Mei Han Chong – the wife of the deceased man Joseph Kwok – may also be the victim of foul play," Beard told media at a news conference this afternoon Beard said the deceased had suffered multiple stab wounds: "It was quite brutal." And the nature of the injuries suggested more than one person was involved we've not received any information on the whereabouts of Mei or the blue Kia Rio motor vehicle," Beard said "We have grave concerns for her safety and welfare." The pair's son told police he's "devastated" adding that Chong's disappearance is "totally out of character" is described as being "of Asian descent small in stature and has short dark grey hair and will likely be wearing glasses" Police are also appealing for any sightings of the couple's blue Kia Rio "We're working hard to try and find her," Beard said "But we need the public's assistance "Someone out there must know something or have seen something "And even if it's trivial to them it could well be important to the police investigation we're trying to put pieces together." Beard reiterated that the son is grieving over his missing mother and his murdered father "If you're a family person you would understand how the son would feel," he said He said the plates on the blue Kia Rio might have been changed "We don't know the motive," Beard added not only for the family but for the public as well." Beard said "the circumstances" inside the house suggested Chong hadn't left of her own accord And "the indication is that Mei didn't drive" we haven't found anything that we believe could be the murder weapon," Beard said adding the scene examination is "quite complex" – but there are no concerns for the wider community's safety at this stage "Obviously people need to be vigilant if they see something suspicious [then] contact the police," Beard told reporters "It would appear that this was a targeted attack He also shed light on Kwok's movements over the weekend "We know that Mr Kwok left work at 11pm on Saturday night and drove home," Beard said The family had lived in the property for 12 years Anyone with information is urged to call 105 A second man charged in the "violent" and "brutal" killing of an Auckland couple in their 60s can now be named He is Lok Fung Lorrence Li, 26. His co-defendant – Shu Man Poon, 42 – was named last month The pair were arrested over the alleged double-murder last year after a body found in Ellerslie triggered an investigation Li was previously declined name suppression but an interim order continued so he had a chance to appeal the decision Li's lawyer confirmed to Justice Geoffrey Venning that no appeal would come The end of Li's bid means suppression lapsed and his identity can be revealed today The pair also pleaded not guilty this morning to charges related to an alleged plot to kill somebody else at an earlier date was found dead at home in Ellerslie by a family member on November 6 last year Police flooded the scene and discovered his wife Mei Han Chong was missing – before she was also found dead kilometres away in Greenhithe later that week having suffered blunt force injuries to her head Their family car was found at an address in a third suburb Poon was arrested in Hamilton on the same night Chong was found and Li was later arrested at an address in Glenfield Poon and Li face two murder charges each over the deaths while Li is also charged with unlawfully taking a vehicle belonging to Kwok They've denied the crimes and are set to go to trial in April next year Both Li and Poon have also been charged with conspiring to murder another person in an earlier The pair entered not guilty pleas to those charges as well this morning the high-profile senior police officer who took charge of the investigation "It is beyond comprehension for the family as to how something like this could happen to Mei and Joseph," he said last year describing the pair as "a loving couple whose careers involved helping other people" was Kwok's birthday – and also the day police believe he was killed Beard has described Kwok's multiple stab wounds as "violent" and "brutal" adding the nature of his injuries suggested more than one person may have been involved Beard has said police are not looking for anyone else as part of their investigation A tribute has been paid to an Auckland man who was "mercilessly" killed on his birthday last week It comes as a 26-year-old man appeared in the Auckland District Court on murder charges today over the alleged killings of Fuk Fu Joseph Kwok and Mei Han Chong He is the second person to be charged with murdering the married couple A homicide investigation was opened after Kwok was found dead by a family member at their Ellerslie property on Monday evening His wife Mei Han Chong was days later found dead in Greenhithe A colleague of Kwok today said he was an "excellent theatre nurse" who was supposed to work one last shift before going on holiday "It was his birthday at the turn of midnight leading into Sunday the day he was mercilessly and helplessly killed," the friend said "He was supposed to be on annual leave after working one more afternoon shift with us that Sunday We were planning to sing him happy birthday when he arrived We called him on his phone but he wasn't answering We waited a couple hours more but no Uncle Joseph He never not turned up for any shift without phoning work with a reason That's when we started worrying that something bad might have happened "He was set to have a long holiday after his birthday and last shift to be with his family He was an excellent theatre nurse who worked hard all his life and freely shared with us his knowledge and expertise He loved educating us so that we could be good in what we do an upstanding citizen who helped save people's lives on a daily basis." The person said there is a fear that others working as nurses who arrived in New Zealand from overseas could be at risk and very fearful that most of us overseas nurses come to NZ to help save lives here can have something like this happen to us at any given moment because others with bad intentions have no fear of entering other people's houses and killing just because "They aren't scared enough of the consequences Justice for Joseph Kwok RN and his family." A 42-year-old man is also facing two murder charges and appeared in court yesterday It was the first sign of a follow-up to Lorde's previous album Her other albums were 2013's Pure Heroine and 2017's Melodrama she collaborated with British singer Charli XCX on a remix of Girl so confusing — on a re-release of the Grammy award-winning Brat Kim Kardashian thought she was going to be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bedroom in central Paris tied her up and stole more than US$6 million in jewellery 10 people will go on trial in Paris over the robbery abduction and kidnapping of the media personality and the concierge of the residence where she was staying during Paris Fashion Week the night of October 2 Kardashian’s lawyers said she will testify in person at the trial starting Monday and scheduled to run through May 23 "Ms Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time," they said "She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities "She wishes the trial to proceed in an orderly fashion in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case." In interviews and on her family’s reality TV show Kardashian has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show she tearfully recalled thinking: "This is the time I’m going to get raped Twelve people were originally expected in the defendants’ box and another is seriously ill and can't be tried five of the 10 defendants were present at the scene of the robbery The French press has dubbed them The Granddad Robbers because the main defendants are elderly and have careers as bank robbers with long criminal records Kardashian told investigators she was taken to a bathroom next to her bedroom and placed in the bathtub Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot and she managed to free herself by removing the tape from her hands and mouth She had also removed the tape from her feet and rushed to her stylist’s room She called her sister Kourtney to tell her about the theft Kardashian told investigators that she had not been injured adding that she wanted to leave France as soon as possible to be reunited with her children According to her testimony and that of the concierge at least one of the suspects had a handgun The gangsters stole many pieces of jewellery estimated to be worth more than US$6 million (NZ$10 million) Only one piece of jewellery — a diamond cross on platinum that was lost during the suspects' escape — has been recovered Two of the accused have partially confessed to the crime is one of two suspected robbers who allegedly entered the apartment his genetic profile was found on the tape used to gag Kardashian who was waiting for him in a parked car at a nearby train station The second robber said he tied up the concierge with cables but did not go up to Kardashian’s apartment said he acted as a lookout in the ground-floor reception area He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian but admitted he shared responsibility for the crime Abbas was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision he co-authored a French-language book titled I Sequestered Kim Kardashian is the second alleged robber suspected of entering the flat although he was filmed by CCTV cameras and numerous telephone contacts with the other co-defendants show his involvement The other defendants are suspected of providing information about Kardashian’s presence in the apartment Others are accused of playing a role in the resale of the jewellery in Antwerp Joe Cocker and Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — in a class that also includes pop star Cyndi Lauper the rock duo the White Stripes and grunge masters Soundgarden the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles’ With a Little Help From My Friends a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions who argued that Cocker is "about as rock and roll as it gets" Soundgarden — with the late Chris Cornell as singer — get into the Hall on their third nomination They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall — Nirvana and Pearl Jam Bad Company get in having become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as Feel Like Makin’ Love Can’t Get Enough and Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy The Ahmet Ertegun Award — given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music — will go to Lenny Waronker Some nominees that didn't get in this year included Mariah Carey and subsequent Let’s Twist Again are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock 'n' roll The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn't been granted entry before including telling the AP in 2014: "I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85 years old so you better do it quick while I’m still smiling." Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as Time After Time and Girls Just Want To Have Fun and went on to win a Tony Award for Kinky Boots have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop The White Stripes — made up of Jack White and Meg White — were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as Seven Nation Army Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall Nominees were voted on by more than 1200 artists historians and music industry professionals The selection criteria include "an artist’s impact on other musicians the scope and longevity of their career and body of work as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique" Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton were inducted Justice Johnstone said a new trial for Li will be held at a later date One man has appeared in Auckland High Court charged with murder and conspiring to murder in a separate incident Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and his wife Mei Han Chong were murdered at their home in November 2023 Top Stories RSS Perfumist is one of the Australian-trained gallopers coming to Ellerslie for the NZB Kiwi on Champions Day Now New Zealand’s biggest ever raceday is almost reality the man in charge of it has one wish left “It’d be nice if everybody in the racing industry could cross their fingers or say their prayers for a fine day,” laughs Ellerslie chief executive Paul Wilcox “If we get that then we are going to be part of something special.” Wilcox and his team will bring Barfoot & Thompson Champions Day to life at Ellerslie on Saturday week the $9 million raceday almost here after being launched on January 22 last year The news of Public Attention taking the last slot in next week’s signature race was the icing on the Champions Day cake for not just Wilcox but many local racing fans He is trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent jnr adding to an impressive line-up of Australian stables that will have horses at the inaugural Champions Day Among those making the trip across the Tasman is Perfumist who is owned by syndication giants OTI Racing and trained by Bjorn Baker “If somebody had told us two years ago we would have horses from many of the biggest stables in Australia all racing here on the same day we would have thought they were crazy,” Wilcox said “You hope to get some of those big names but to have reps from Chris Waller Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young and now Mick Price and Michael Kent “You add to that some of the jockeys we have coming from Australia and the fact we have horses in the NZB Kiwi with links to Ireland The significant Australian involvement can only improve awareness of Champions Day across the Tasman and will have a flow-on effect for turnover The meeting will also have World Pool tote betting through Hong Kong and looks certain to break records for overseas investment on a New Zealand race meeting Wilcox and his team are now balancing how to accommodate all the visitors and locals who want to attend the new event “Hospitality sales have been very strong right from when we opened them and if the weather is good we are planning for somewhere between 10,000 and 12,000 people being here,” he said “A lot of the hospitality sold out really quickly but there are some small pockets of that left “We had a couple ring up today who couldn’t make it and cancelled their tickets Those seats lasted about five minutes and then they were gone “So people should just go to the website and try their luck for those areas in case we have a few more of those but we still have general admission left.” The meeting will also feature one of Ellerslie’s famous after-parties in what will double as the unofficial closing celebration for New Zealand’s biggest summer of racing Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990 He became the Herald’s Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals The Karaka yearling sales are a key economic driver for the New Zealand racing industry Punters were left shell-shocked and bookies scratching their heads after a series of shock results at Ellerslie on Saturday It was not that upset winners Thedoctoroflove (Eagle Avondale Guineas) or Blue Sky At Night (Eagle Avondale Cup) were unworthy winners far from it as both had to overcome obstacles to win their Group races It was more the performances and/or tactics of some of those behind them that will have everybody wondering what they mean for Grand Finals like the NZ Derby and Auckland Cup on March 8 Before yesterday Willydoit was $2 to win the Derby but he finished 10th in a farcically slowly-run Guineas It is a a long way from a Guineas 10th to the Derby winner’s circle The Auckland Cup looks more open than ever after trainer Shelly Hale and jockey Tayla Mitchell got the best out of Blue Sky At Night for her second major Cup of the summer in another race where plenty of decent horses got back and never improved It was more competitive in the $110,000 Eagle Stakes for three-year-olds where Sethito confirmed she can win the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi in two weeks by coming out of the one-one but her stablemate Checkmate got back and was never a factor a theme of the day way more than punters would have liked Trainers will do trot-ups and some vet checks on Monday morning punters and bookies will scan videos and new horses like Legarto Tuxedo and the Aussie reps in the NZB Kiwi will join the fray But 13 days out from the richest day in New Zealand racing history the picture has rarely looked more chaotically confused The best form guide to the richest-ever race held in this country may not have even been run in this country And it didn’t contain a single horse who will line up in tomorrow’s $3.5 million NZB Kiwi at Ellerslie That is the unusual situation punters find themselves in trying to work out the slot race with incredibly disparate form lines from Invercargill to Caulfield and everywhere in between What do we make of Perfumist versus Pivotal Ten The Karaka Million 3-Year-Old was run on this track over a distance 100m shorter Damask Rose won that like the very good filly she is and can clearly win tomorrow none of the 12 horses who finished behind her that day are in the NZB Kiwi tomorrow But the New Zealand 1000 and 2000 Guineas should be decent form guides right Group 1s to start summer and over a comparable 1600m None of the 11 fillies who ran in the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton in November will start in the NZB Kiwi while Domain Ace is the only starter from the 2000 Guineas in the Kiwi and he is the rank outsider What race gives us the best formula to put into our punting brains in the hope of spitting out the winner of the first running of this NZB Kiwi The answer is last Saturday’s Australian Guineas who – in a touch of irony –was eligible for the NZB Kiwi who also could have been at Ellerslie tomorrow but for stallion-making reasons went to Flemington The Savaglee team made the right call to go but even not being here his form is the key to the Kiwi he would be clearly the best winning chance of the locals and probably second favourite The only local viewed as having his raw class might be Damask Rose Savaglee went down fighting to Feroce in that Guineas last Saturday and two horses with form all around Feroce have turned up here from Australia: Evaporate and Public Attention Feroce contested the Caulfield Guineas in the spring and in both the Prelude and Guineas he finished alongside Public Attention (Prelude) and Evaporate (Guineas) He looks to have improved since then but their form suggests both Evaporate (moreso) but also Public Attention are in Feroce’s class Last Saturday showed Feroce is at least as good if not better than Savaglee and we already know that this season Savaglee has been better than the other locals in tomorrow’s race Add to that Evaporate’s huge last start fourth to Mr Brightside and Public Attention running not far off Broadsiding in Sydney last start and it is looking likely this Kiwi could be flying back to Australia on Sunday a better draw and looked at home at Ellerslie on Monday morning Public Attention would be shorter in the market from a good barrier and he has the tactical speed to still go forward from barrier 14 but it clearly won’t help She doesn’t have that meaty Australian Group 1 form but she has a perfect draw Bjorn Baker training in career-best form and she can get up against the rail and cut out sub-even sectionals to tax those travelling wider Damask Rose is an obvious winning chance and class act while Sethito and Checkmate are uptapped and have at least been set for this Grand Final So do this: imagine that Savaglee is in tomorrow’s race and ask yourself what horses do you have any evidence could beat him draws and tempo but Evaporate is still the most likely winner What: New Zealand’s richest-ever race meeting worth $9 million Highlights: First running of the $3.5 million slot race NZB Kiwi $600,000 World Pool HKJC NZ Breeders Stakes $600,000 Barfoot And Thompson Auckland Cup The fields are out for New Zealand’s richest ever raceday so here is a look at the possible winners and losers in the barrier draws for Barfoot and Thompson Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday all of them will get their chance but Alabama Lass drawing 3 should give her the chance to cross arch-rival Crocetti and then either lead (more likely) or trail Babylon Berlin 1200m: Favourite Return To Conquer has drawn 5 which is good but more importantly puts him inside Karaka Millions-winning stablemate La Dorada (7) Lucy In The Sky (barrier 2) should get a perfect run in what is a huge step up from her debut win 1600m: Legarto got the almost perfect barrier of 3 and is going to be everybody’s multi anchor Town Cryer (1) draws ideally for her but Belclare (12) and Konasana (10) haven’t had a lot of joy 2000m: El Vencedor is in to odds-on after getting barrier 4 which gives him options to lead or be in the top two in the running Orchestral should be able to stay midfield from barrier 5 but a lack of tempo could be concerning while fellow mares La Crique (2) and Qali Al Farrasha (1) get ideal draws to sit handy without working Wolfgang being in the race could be a key if he is sent forward 3200m: Draws don’t matter as much over 3200m It’s more about who actually runs the distance and Sydney favourite Tajanis (3) shouldn’t have any hassles from there and you’d rather have his draw than the second favourite About Time’s barrier 17 Expect this market to loosen up in the next two days Perfumist and the O’Sullivan/Scott horses got good draws Damask Rose’s draw could be solid for her and Public Attention got a terrible draw It doesn’t mean Public Attention can’t still win as he has early speed but nobody wants the outside gate so he will likely drift in the market which isn’t a disaster but they would have preferred about four gates closer in and because he can fire up his trainer probably has no option now but to put him to sleep and hope his rivals fade Willydoit didn’t fare much better with barrier 14 so his $3.40 price is a real surprise and Thedoctoroflove (12) is worse off than when he drew 3 to win the Avondale Guineas Bourbon Proof gets 3 this time and has the speed to use it while Oceana Dream’s co-trainer Roger James admits he would have preferred wider than barrier 1 He became the Herald’s racing editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals East Auckland was strongly represented at yesterday’s 53rd running of the always grand and gleaming Ellerslie Car Show The Howick Classic and Vintage Car Club was participating in its first competition at Ellerslie finishing second out of six group entrants A lot of effort went into the Howick club’s colourful presentation which had a summer seaside barbecue theme with imitation seagulls dangling from a sun umbrella Founding president of Howick Classic and Vintage Car Club speaking for the very jovial members at Ellerslie says the club has been going for about three years and has 120 members including partners Howick-based east Auckland community radio station East FM was also on duty at the Classic Cover Ellerslie Car Show with the job of providing the show’s MCing music entertainment and interviews through the Ellerslie Racecourse’s public announcement system It’s the fourth year East FM has had the pleasure of being invited to provide the sound content for the prestigious car show Motor vehicle enthusiasts turned up in big numbers throughout Sunday’s show which was bathed in sunshine throughout with warm temperatures with two of its teams finishing first and second respectively in the Teams Event meaning the club will again be the hosts for next year’s show What sets Ellerslie apart from other motor vehicle exhibition shows in New Zealand is it has always provided car owners with classes they can enter for judging which encompasses a lot of scoring criteria “At the core of our event are the judged Concours d’Elegance competitions,” say organisers “Ours is the only Intermarque Classic Car event in New Zealand and has over 50 years of judging consistency and history “The judging system has been maintained consistently over all that time “The 25 Concours judges are members of The Thoroughbred and Classic Car Owners Club and many have been members of the judging panel for more than 30 years.” was the chair of this year’s Classic Cover Ellerslie Car Show organising committee “It’s been an honour to chair the organising committee again and put together a world-class show with world-class cars,” he says “I’m proud of the way this show has come together and thank my fellow organising committee members for all the voluntary work they have again done to make this show happen all supporters and those attending the show Waimak Classic Cars and Classic Driver magazine have again made a very valued contribution to this event,” says Lack “Thank you also to all the volunteers on the day It’s a long day and we appreciate your help “We’re most grateful to our loyal visitors paying the entrance fee necessary to cover venue costs which have increased even as the space available to members’ cars has decreased “And we thank all the clubs for showcasing your members’ cars for us all to admire.” Intermarque Concours d’Elegance judging results: 1 – Auckland Mustang Owners Club team one (1066 points) 2 – Auckland Mustang Owners Club team two (1010) an independently-owned publishing company based in East Auckland Keep informed with the latest breaking news Our digital papers are emailed twice month on a Thursday You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/ Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) says it’s thrilled about the return of the TAB Karaka Millions at Ellerslie Racecourse promising an electrifying evening of twilight horse racing and entertainment tomorrow Saturday With more than $5 million in stakes on offer and a reputation as New Zealand’s most glamorous race night organisers say the January 25 event is set to attract the nation’s finest equine talent alongside a star-studded crowd Held on the eve of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales the TAB Karaka Millions at Ellerslie combines high-stakes racing with top-tier hospitality making it a highlight of Auckland’s summer social calendar says: “The TAB Karaka Millions is a showcase of excellence in New Zealand racing a stellar lineup of group-level racing competition that has seen the meeting make the grade for Hong Kong Jockey Club’s prestigious World Pool it’s a true celebration of the sport and colour of a race day.” the TAB Karaka Millions also offers a dynamic mix of entertainment It includes the Tan in the City Style Spotter Competition the return of an 850-strong contingent of Boys Get Paid followers to the track all of whom will have their punting hopes pinned on what has famously become the country’s biggest punters club a unique space for racegoers to discover the unexpected organisers say the night continues with the on-site Birdcage Bash afterparty in association with The Grand Tour Racing Festival featuring a spectacular light show beneath the stars as well as live music from Ellerslie’s resident band AMOK and DJ Arii Jade ensuring the celebrations carry on well into the night Ellerslie have re-appointed Ben Fletcher to lead next season’s Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship campaign The club has also appointed Lewis Parke as head coach of their men’s reserves team Fletcher (35) joined Ellerslie from Franklin United for the 2022 season and next year will be his fourth campaign with the Ponies Announcing his re-appointment, Ellerslie stated on their website: “We are excited to see Ben continue in a role in which he has consolidated the team into a competitive side in the Mens NRFL Championship using his boundless energy and positive attitude to motivate and develop the players.” Fletcher holds an OFC/NZF B Licence and is working towards his A Licence Main photo: Ben Fletcher … fourth season as head coach. Photo: Phototek Fletcher told the Ellerslie website: “I’m thrilled to be leading the NRFL men’s first team for the fourth consecutive year and grateful for the opportunity to continue building on the work we’ve put in over the last season with a strong foundation established and talented youth players coming through the ranks which speaks to the club’s commitment to player development “The ambition and values of Ellerslie AFC remain a driving force and I’m excited to keep pushing towards our goal of being one of New Zealand’s top clubs “I’m honoured to be part of this journey with such a passionate group of players and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together in 2025.” Newly-appointed reserves coach Lewis Parke (31) has returned to Ellerslie the club he joined as a member of their U-7 Takahe team and Parke had a successful stint in the Ellerslie reserves playing for the club’s U-19 sides and scoring a winning penalty against Three Kings United in a knockout cup final Park played for Onehunga Mangere United and Uni-Mount Bohemian Celtic where he began to coach Parke is working towards his OFC/NZF B Licence The Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship starts on March 22 Ellerslie’s pre-season training starts during the week commencing January 20 This story was first published on January 14 Leagrto winning last start at Matamata. Photo / Kenton Wright / Race Images Trainer Ken Kelso has a warning for rival trainers as Legarto prepares to return to her trip-up track Ellerslie for Champions Day. Arguably New Zealand’s best racehorse, Legarto will be the hottest favourite of Champions Day as she is $1.40 in futures markets to win the $600,000 HJKC World Pool NZ Breeders Stakes, one of the four Group 1s at Saturday’s mega meeting. Legarto was the star of Ellerslie’s launch of their StrathAyr track in January last year but was then beaten twice as a red-hot favourite in the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic and last season’s Bonecrusher NZ Stakes. Both times, she failed to catch a front runner, admittedly two class horses in Desert Lightning and El Vencedor, but they were timely reminders to punters that when top horses race on fast tracks, the leaders will usually have an advantage. Legarto reverts to mares-only company for Saturday’s 1600m and Kelso, who trains the former Australian Guineas winner with wife Bev, says she has improved since her enormous fresh-up win at Matamata. “It had to bring her on because it was her first start in such a long time. “She came out of it really well and worked in good fashion in between races here [Matamata] on Saturday. “I think she has to be better this week than she was fresh up.” While Legarto meets proven Group 1 rivals in Belclare, Campionessa, Provence and the Chris Waller-trained Konasana, if she draws well on Wednesday she will be many punter’s multi anchor for our richest ever raceday. She does find herself in the rare position of not being the highest-rated horse at Saturday’s meeting, as she sits in a 112 mark but El Vencedor’s last-start win in the Sport Nation Classic has seen him boosted to a 114 rating and the highest-rated horse in the country. While Legarto cruised through her trackwork between races on Saturday, stablemate Alabama Lass was asked for a bit more exertion as she strode out at the same meeting. “She hasn’t raced for five weeks so she had a bit more of a hitout,” Kelso said. “She worked her last 1000m in 58.6 seconds and her final 600m in 33.4 and did it very well, so she is ready for this week.” Alabama Lass takes on Crocetti in the $250,000 Haunui Farm Kings Plate in a rematch of the Railway clash Crocetti won on Karaka Millions night. Crocetti looked a healthy and happy horse when working at Ellerslie on Monday morning. The Kings Plate had only drawn five entries yesterday, a sign of horses feeling the drain of a long, hot summer and some very competitive racing on often good tracks. There are also smaller than desired numbers in both the Bonecrusher Stakes and Sistema Stakes for the two-year-old on Saturday, again not unusual as the pecking orders are often clearly defined for those group of horses by later in the summer and some trainers prefer easier targets to Group 1 dreaming. That has seen a shuffle of the race order for Saturday as the meeting will host World Pool betting. It was originally intended to have the four Group 1s and the NZB Kiwi as the five World Pool races, but with the Sistema likely to have a smaller field, it will drop out of the Race 5-9 hosting World Pool (tote) betting and be replaced by the much larger Auckland Cup. One-time NZ Derby second favourite Hinekaha is not only out of the classic but the rest of the season. The filly was expected to start in Saturday’s Sunline Vase as her lead-up to the NZ Oaks on March 22 but has instead been sent to the spelling paddock. What: New Zealand’s richest ever race meeting worth $9 million. Highlights: First running of the $3.5 million slot race NZB Kiwi, $1.25 million Trackside NZ Derby, $1 million Bonecrusher NZ Stakes, $600,000 World Pool HKJC NZ Breeders Stakes, $550,000 Sistema Stakes, $600,000 Barfoot And Thompson Auckland Cup, $250,000 Haunui Farm Kings Plate. Can I go? Yes, but most tickets are sold. Availability online. Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990. He became the Herald’s Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals. The Karaka yearling sales are a key economic driver for the New Zealand racing industry. Auckland CityBy negotiation423A Spacious and Light-Filled Family HavenStep inside to a welcoming entrance that leads into a separate formal lounge perfect for relaxation or entertaining guests The generous modern kitchen flows seamlessly into the open-plan lounge and dining area With big proportions and plenty of natural light The fully fenced section provides security and privacy This beautifully designed home offers four bedrooms split over two levels with two bathrooms and a separate WC for guests ensuring comfort and convenience for the whole family Completing the picture is a double internal access garage plus off-street parking offering ample space for vehicles and storage Zoned for Ellerslie School and One Tree Hill College this prime location is just moments from Ellerslie Village See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Trav winning Saturday's Group 2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie. Photo / Kenton Wright / Race Images Raymond Connors’ green and red colours will forever be known for six victories in the Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) at Ellerslie between 1998 and 2019, but the respected Manawatū horseman returned to Auckland on Saturday and took the spoils in another major test of stamina. Connors won the Great Northern as an owner and jockey on Our Jonty (1998) before adding owner-trainer successes with Hypnotize (2007, 2008, 2009) and Wise Men Say (2017, 2019). Now those trophies sit alongside a major prize on the flat, courtesy of a $17 upset by Trav in the Group 2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m). “The Great Northerns are probably still my biggest thrill, but this has to be right up there as well,” Connors said on Saturday. “It’s awesome to win a big race on a day like this. Champions Day is great to be a part of.” Trav won three races as a four-year-old last season, prompting Connors to put a circle around the Auckland Cup as his main goal for 2024-25. The Almanzor gelding went winless in his seven starts leading into the $600,000 showpiece, but caught the eye with a strong-finishing and unlucky fourth in the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) in his most recent start on January 18. Trav and jockey Masa Hashizume dropped out to the tail of the field in a moderately run Auckland Cup that saw multiple lead changes during the race. They still had only three horses behind them as they angled to the extreme outside coming around the home turn. Arby and Nest Egg kicked off the corner and briefly looked set to fight out the finish, but then Hashizume let Trav rip down the outside of the track. He powered past that pair and then turned back a late challenge from the Chris Waller-trained Tajanis to win by a long head. Another Australian raider, Ciaron Maher’s Interpretation, finished two and three-quarter lengths further back in third. The Auckland Cup was a special consolation prize for Hashizume, who was the long-time rider of Group 1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) favourite Willydoit but was replaced after his unplaced finish in last month’s Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m). “This means a lot,” Hashizume said. “The last few weeks have just been one of those things. I’ve had to come back from an injury where I had six weeks off. Willydoit is such a nice horse. I understand the owners making the change and I wish them the best of luck. I’ll just have to hope I can come back next year with another Derby favourite. “Trav is a very tough horse, going from the Wellington Cup to the Auckland Cup with only a jumpout in between. He was a bit fresh going to the start, but very professional after the gates opened. “I wasn’t very confident when I was last in the first lap, so I tried to move a little bit closer and then decided to follow Blue Sky At Night. She’s a tough mare, so I knew she would drag me into it. “I wasn’t sure who was coming through beside me, but I knew my horse was trying his best. He gave me 100% all the way to the line and then was hard to pull up after the race. It was such a good effort. Credit to the horse and the trainer. I was just lucky today.” Trav has now had 25 starts for six wins, a second and $462,950 in stakes. “That was a really good performance,” Connors said. “I wasn’t surprised to see him get so far back in the running, because that’s the way he races. But the finish that he produced to get up and win the race was amazing. “He hasn’t been the easiest horse to train, it’s been a bit of an effort from everyone at home, but this race was our goal and it’s great to pull it off.” Checkmate winning at Ellerslie on Sunday. Photo / Supplied Rarely has half a New Zealand racing meeting meant as much as it does at Ellerslie tomorrow. Not that there is anything wrong with the first four races at our glamour track on Saturday — and you can make a really strong case for backing Steely Man (Race 3, No 4) or the juveniles and speedsters that kick off the card. But just before 3.30pm tomorrow, Ellerslie starts dishing up the Avondale Guineas with all its NZ Derby repercussions, then the Avondale Cup with its Auckland Cup storylines, a tactical tease in the Group 1 Sport Nation Classic and wraps the day with the Uncle Remus, one of the best guides yet to the NZB Kiwi in 15 days. So many stars, options, different motivations and some confusing barrier draws and even if all four favourites roll home their supporters will land a 50-1 multi. Put that all into the mixer and you could come out with a punt plan something like this: Race 5, Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas, 2100m Willydoit (1) looks like a Derby winner in waiting and should be even more potent over 2100m. If he wins he starts red hot in the Derby, if he doesn’t win then who can beat him here? Hinekaha (15) is a serious filly who suited up in distance but may be ridden cold while the draws also don’t aid Bourbon Proof (2) or Oceana Dream (3) either. The chances don’t stop there with Flemington winner Thedoctoroflove (11) headlining a deep support cast in what could be a niggly race. Suggested bet: It’s hard to tip against Willydoit (1), but he is very short in this field. Race 6, Eagle Technology Avondale Cup, 2400m Typical of a modern-day NZ handicap race with a few carrying big weights and the rest on 53kg. Usually, the latter group provides the winner. The most likely beneficiary is About Time (6) who won the Dunstan Feeds Final and will improve with her next start win. Clearly likes Ellerslie and ticks all boxes. Son Of Sun (4) gets in beautifully though on 54kg for a Queen Elizabeth Cup winner and was a bold fifth over 1500m last start so vies for top pick and is better value. Lots of others could win and the Aussie stayers Interpretation and Midnight Blue (now trained here) are proven but weighted accordingly. Race 7, Sport Nation Otaki-Maori Classic, 1600m Two horses who love Ellerslie dominate the betting but if you believe in speed maps El Vencedor (1) will be your bet. He is a rock hard fit proven weight-for-age star who runs on the speed so has all the tactical advantage over the girls Orchestral (7) and Konasana (8). Both of them could get back of midfield while the favourite should lead or trail but Orchestral can still win because she is special. There are some proper horses here but some haven’t won in a while (Waitak, Aegon) while Qali Al Farrasha isn’t ideally suited by weight-for-age. Race 8, Trevor and Corallie Eagle Stakes, 1400m Superb race with plenty of NZB Kiwi contenders. Checkmate (1) might be the best of them, but could get back from a wide draw and will need tempo whereas the emerging Dealt With (2) could be on the speed and take catching. Sethito (6) should also be handy and while she may be an improver having not raced for nearly two months she has raw speed. Penman (3) can win if he keeps improving while Hankee Alpha (8) looks the real deal but could get back in a race where they scoot some wicked sectionals. Suggested bet: Split bet Dealt With (2) with cover on Sethito (6). Tuxedo. Photo / Kenton Wright / Race Images As tough as the Aussies are going to be in the NZB Kiwi tomorrow I still think Damask Rose can do it for New Zealand. It is a great field and really good concept and I like the fact the Kiwi is 1500m as it gives a whole range of horses a chance, in between the 1400m horses and the milers. Obviously Evaporate is going to be really hard to beat because he was very strong in that open Group1 last start but I have been riding Damask Rose in a lot of her trackwork and she is peaking at the right time. There is no doubt she is better than when she won the Karaka Million and I think she will be midfield outer and hit the line really well. Evaporate is her big danger and I don’t mind Checkmate as he gets a good draw and has a big finish. Earlier in the meeting I think adding blinkers to Return To Conquer (R4, No. 1) will help. I have been riding or seeing a lot of the Te Akau two-year-olds at trackwork and while he is the best La Dorada is really tough and He Who Dares will improve on his Matamata run last start. But still, for me, Return To Conquer on top. The Cup is a really tough race but Tajanis (R7, No. 11) looks a good stayer for Chris Waller and has a lightweight so he is clearly on top for me ahead of Nest Egg, who is a proven stayer. Blue Sky At Night is racing well and About Time can win but maybe it is still a year too soon for her. I love Tuxedo (R9, No. 2) in the Derby. He is a big strong horse and I liked his Waikato Guineas win so he is the best chance. Bourbon Proof will put himself in the race while I am willing to forgive Willydoit’s last start. He just got too far back and ran past a few but I think he needs to be handier. The Bonecrusher is going to be a good race because El Vencedor (R6, No. 1) is flying and loves Ellerslie. But Orchestral can beat him and is the horse I’d like to be on. She will enjoy being back up to 2000m and the small field helps. La Crique is obviously a classy mare too but Orchestral on top. The other mare everybody will be looking forward to seeing is Legarto (R5, No. 1). She is the class in the Breeders Stakes and should win with my only concern that she is second up after a long break. But she has a good draw and is getting out of the gates better these days. It is going to be an awesome day and good luck to everybody involved because the biggest racedays, especially at Ellerslie, are pretty special. Auckland CityBy negotiation424Ellerslie Heights - Vendor on the move!This property must be sold Take a step into the English countryside with this spectacular modern home that exudes old-world charm Light-filled living is prevalent throughout as your eyes are drawn upwards to the exposed beam ceilings that are both a feature and a talking point throughout the family areas A spacious and tidy kitchen plays heart to the home where you can entertain or allow your guests to spill out to the manicured English garden and enjoy the best of alfresco dining A striking feature of this lovely home is a full glass conservatory where you can weather the elements to unwind with your favourite book and take it all in Four generous bedrooms and two full bathrooms ensure there is space in abundance for the entire family so make the most of the three separate living areas to unwind The thoughtful design includes a double garage complete with a small workshop attached a fully fenced backyard and separate laundry top schools and the motorway are right on your doorstep See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson La Dorada and Craig Williams winning the $1 million Karaka Millions 2-Year-Old. Photo / Kenton Wright Two flying fillies combined with two Australian champion jockeys to continue a syndication’s domination of New Zealand racing at the TAB Karaka Millions at Ellerslie on Saturday night. Juvenile filly La Dorada and her year older stablemate Damask Rose gave syndication giants Te Akau the mega money double, winning the $1 million 2-Year-Old and $1.5m 3-Year-Old. Karaka Millions night has half belonged to Te Akau for the best part of a decade and while the 3-Year-Old honours have been more shared around, La Dorada’s win was its eighth in nine years in the juvenile dash for cash. Ironically, last year was the only time in the past nine years it didn’t win when Damask Rose finished second to Velocious. The Karaka Millions is only open to horses purchased at Karaka, the yearling sales that start on Sunday, and Te Akau buys a lot of yearlings there but nothing that can equate to its level of domination. It targets the Millions every year and has its 2-year-old and 3-year-old machines so well-oiled the tangerine colours strike fear into rival trainers. That hadn’t been the case so much at the new Ellerslie with its StrathAyr track but trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson righted that ledger last night. They were aided by two Australian supermen of the saddle, Craig Williams not panicking when copping pressure on La Dorada and then Blake Shinn being patient from the wide gate on Damask Rose. La Dorada set up the double domination by leading, being slightly pressured but kicking clear in just her third start. The neat daughter of Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth, she cost Te Akau boss David Ellis $190,000 at the sales last year. “We trained her dam [Gold Fever] too and she was a very good filly so a family we know well,” said Ellis. “This is a race and a night that means so much to us. To continue to win it for our owners means the world to us, especially on sales’ eve. “Then to come out and have Damask Rose win like that, well that makes me feel very proud. “We put a lot of effort into buying these horses but that is only the start. “The staff at the stables work so hard and a lot of people in our syndicates get a lot of joy out of what that work produces.” The wins set Te Akau up for a shot at a richer double at the biggest meeting held in New Zealand, the new Champions Day being held at Ellerslie on March 8. Damask Rose is already in Te Akau’s slot for the new $3.5m NZB Kiwi slot race, and is now eligible for a huge money bonus after winning tonight’s race. That same day La Dorada will chase a Group 1 in the Sistema Stakes, the ultimate goal for any sprinting juvenile filly, being worth far more than a winning stakes. As dominant as the Te Akau fillies were there was plenty to admire in the beaten brigade in both races. Runner-up Vega For Luck was excellent in the juvenile while Miss Ziggy gave the South Island a rare Karaka Millions placing, and favourite To Bravery Born was fourth without a lot going right. In the 3-Year-Old event, runner-up Tuxedo was excellent while Dealt With was brave in just his third start after leading and confirming he will be a player in the NZB Kiwi, which he secured a slot in on Saturday morning, while Bourbon Proof ran on well. One of question marks hanging over the favourite for New Zealand’s richest horse race evaporated in the early morning sunlight at Ellerslie on Monday. High-class Australian 3-year-old Evaporate has been favourite for Saturday’s $3.5million NZB Kiwi since he was confirmed to run in the Entain slot, that favouritism firming when he finished a brave fourth behind stablemate Mr Brightside in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield last start. That is serious Group 1 weight-for-age form behind not only Mr Brightside but Tom Kitten and I Wish I Win. For all the class and promise of his 13 rivals for the inaugural running of the 1500m slot race, Evaporate has the best form. But coming to a new country, even if it was where Evaporate was born, and racing right-handed for the first time can present young horses with an array of physical and mental challenges. Evaporate’s jockey, Mick Dee, admitted as much last week, suggesting how the big, raw-boned son of Per Incanto adapts to Ellerslie for what will be his first right-handed start is one of the few remaining questions over his hopes. Dee and the punters considering backing Evaporate need not worry judging by how he cruised around Ellerslie on Monday morning. He wasn’t asked to sprint by trackwork rider and travelling foreman Junior Richards but strode out beautifully and looked unflustered by his new surroundings. “He was lovely,” said Richards, a horseman senior trainer Ben Hayes describes as an elite trackwork rider. “He was straight on the right leg and, while he had a small look around early, he was perfect once we got going. “He has taken no harm from the travel and settled in well, eating and drinking as he should, so he is spot on.” While things can change in an instant in racing, it is very much a case of so far, so good for the $2.80 NZB Kiwi favourite with the next box he needs to tick being a decent draw tonight. That barrier draw, at the Hilton in Auckland, starts at 7pm and will be screened on Trackside. It has the potential to dramatically alter the market as there are plenty in the NZB Kiwi who prefer to get up on the speed and race handy. The draw may not only affect their chances but the potential for traffic concerns: put all the speedsters in low draws and the field could sort itself out quickly. But put go-forward horses like Perfumist, Public Attention, Pivotal Ten, Sethito and even Penman out wide with their jockeys choosing to go forward and that not only creates tempo but outside pressure on those drawn closer to the rail. For all that, unless Evaporate draws outside barrier 10 it is very hard to see him being replaced as the favourite and maybe not even then. An unusual element of tonight’s draw will be the four emergencies being in the field but not allocated barrier draws. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing will choose four horses to act as emergencies but they must firstly be NZB Kiwi eligible (bred or sold here) plus also an acceptor for Windsor Park Stud Trophy also on Saturday. The quartet will be part of the actual NZB Kiwi field but will be given the holding pattern draws of 15, 16, 17 and 18. If they are needed for the Kiwi field because of a scratching they will take the barrier draw of the horse they replace. The four emergencies for the race will not be in any order of preference so if a horse is forced out post draw the owners of that slot will get to choose any of the four emergencies to negotiate to fill the vacated slot. Auckland CityAsking price $1,195,000313320m²Opportunity Knocks - Motivated Overseas Vendors!An absolute stunner Fall in love with the charm and character this beautiful bungalow exudes The lounge and open-plan modern kitchen/dining area flow seamlessly through French doors onto two sun-soaked decks allowing you to enjoy the sun from morning to evening With three spacious bedrooms complemented by a beautifully tiled bathroom this home truly caters to comfort and style this gem sits on a freehold section tucked behind a secure gate with some good extra parking Conveniently located just minutes from motorway access and the vibrant Ellerslie Village offering excellent public transport options Don't miss the opportunity to make this charming bungalow your own See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Buster Shaw winning at Ellerslie on Saturday The allure of Ellerslie is summed up by the fact a maiden victory there was a dream come true for one of New Zealand’s greatest-ever horsemen Harness racing genius Mark Purdon picked the perfect place to trained by first thoroughbred winner when Buster Shaw won the opener on Saturday Purdon has achieved everything possible in Australasian harness racing and has dabbled in training gallopers for the last three years, his two thoroughbreds trained alongside Group 1 harness stars Chase A Dream and Oscar Bonavena at the Matamata thoroughbred track There is nothing new in harness trainers trying their hand with thoroughbreds but few ever train a winner at Ellerslie not only the spiritual home of New Zealand racing but a place revered by many in the harness industry “To train a winner at Ellerslie is very special,” says Purdon “It is a track we all love and you never really expect to train a winner there “And he is quite a promising stayer with a future.” Training thoroughbreds was an itch Purdon wanted to scratch and after a life devoted to harness racing “I have been really lucky how many thoroughbred people have wanted to help,” he told the Herald “I couldn’t have got this far without the help of Glenn Old he really opened the door for me when I moved to Matamata and I can’t thank him enough working with me and she is invaluable and I have had some great advice from trainers like Andrew Scott [Wexford Stables] “He showed me some of the work programmes great trainers like Dave O’Sullivan and Mike Moroney would have used with their horses and it made me quite proud because I realised I wasn’t doing too much wrong.” Purdon has just two gallopers in work (with two more spelling) as well as the two harness stars but says even with a small stable the days are long because of the different schedules “You get up so early in the morning to do the gallopers and if you have trots the night before it can make for a long day and not much sleep James McDonald has had to settle for a second straight nail-biting international defeat with Romantic Warrior The Kiwi jockey was beaten out in an incredibly tight photo finish in the Dubai Turf on Sunday morning (NZT) as Japanese galloper Soul Rush grabbed Romantic Warrior right on the line McDonald missed two days of the Sydney carnival to be in Dubai and it capped a “what could have been” autumn for Romantic Warrior and McDonald after he was also beaten in the last few strides of the Saudi Cup last month McDonald will return to Sydney this week to partner Via Sistina in the A$5 million ($5.4m) Queen Elizabeth on the second day of The Championships Champion trainer Willie Mullins was left in tears after the greatest moment of his career yesterday – and it had very little to do with the horses Mullins trained the trifecta in the famous Grand National at Aintree in England but the reason for his raw emotion was that his son Patrick rode the winner I don’t think it can get any better than this It’s like something out of a Disney film,” he said Nick Rockett won the National from last year’s winner I Am Maximus with fellow stablemate Grangeclare West in third The master Irish trainer has achieved so much both with jumpers and flat horses and is often matter-of-fact about his victories That was the honest opinion of co-trainer Roger James after superstar mare Orchestral finished last of four in her comeback race at Ellerslie yesterday just 13 days out from one of the biggest races of her season Last season’s NZ Derby winner was caught flat footed in a farcically slow open 1400m yesterday but to the eye she hardly looked one of the best horses in the country Settling last as the two pairs got along at crawling speed Orchestral hit her usual flat patch on the home bend before looming up on the inside at the 200m but her trio of rivals simply had too much leg speed The reason was a last 600m in just over 33 seconds at the back end of the 1400m in 1:25.6 about three seconds outside standard for horses of that grade on a good summer track Times aside it still didn’t suggest Orchestral deserves to be the $2.50 favourite for the $1million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic on Karaka Millions night who trains the four-year-old with Robert Wellwood wasn’t trying to sugarcoat the last placing This was a starting point and it was 1400m run so And she had 60kg so maybe it was race she was never going to win They went so slow she just got outsprinted but Craig [Grylls jockey] said the best part of her race was at the line and after it We have two weeks to get her right for the mile “This race will really bring her on and I think we can have her sharp enough for that.” Orchestral has now not run a placing in four starts this season after being our elite three-year-old filly last season Nobody doubts her talent and she wouldn’t be the first four-year-old mare to have a fruitless campaign or even two after a great three-year-old season But her run yesterday will give the trainers of her rivals in the Aotearoa Classic hope Yesterday’s meeting provided plenty of pointers to the two huge meetings on the Ellerslie horizon the Karaka Millions and Champions Day on March 8 One of the biggest was in the juvenile race where To Bravery Born bolted in and is now the $4 equal favourite for the Karaka Millions There was plenty to like from a handful of three-year-olds on display yesterday with Sought After and Checkmate both winning for the O’Sullivan/Scott stable but now headed in different directions Sought After was the first horse to gain a slot in the $3.5m NZB Kiwi on March 8 and that is his only real aim left as he is now Karaka Millions eligible who downed an impressive Hinekaha in the three-year-old 1500m yesterday but has now changed path from the NZB Kiwi to the NZ Derby on the same day “Orginally we thought he was an NZB Kiwi horse but he is looking for more ground so he will go on a Derby path now probably through the Waikato Guineas,” said O’Sullivan Hinekaha was still eyecatching in second coming from last and her trainer Andrew Forsman went one better in the next Derby lead-up yesterday The maiden appreciated the step up to 2100m and just downed Golden Century suggesting Forsman one of the kings of Derbys over the past decade will again have a real hand to play in this year’s classic The $3.5 million NZB Kiwi was always going to throw up some unexpected stars horses unknown at the start of summer looking to end it the winner of New Zealand’s richest-ever race The 3-year-old who was a maiden just over a month ago now has his spot in the mega money slot race at Ellerslie on March 8 after being chosen by the group of Barneswood Farm back when the then recent Guineas races out of Riccarton were the main focus of NZB Kiwi chat The son of Contributor finished second in his first two starts but as the good 3-year-olds do he has improved with every start and gone to a new level in his next two starts Penman beat subsequent dual winner Moschino at Te Rapa on January 16 then downed the already NZB-confirmed Domain Ace and the Group 2 placed Tardelli at Tauranga on February 7 he looks a perfect fit for the NZB Kiwi and gives red-hot trainer Stephen Marsh two confirmed starters alongside Ardalio with 10 of the 14 Kiwi runners now announced was stoked to get the progessive galloper into the new race which will be the centrepiece of the $9million Champions Day on March 8 “He has got better every run and we all saw what he did last start so we love him for this race,” says Marsh “We are in with some top people and it is also great for Penman’s owners including Go Racing because they invest so much in the industry.” As excited as Marsh is about having two chances in the Kiwi Nakhle was buzzing thinking he and his partners have got one of the progressive 3-year-olds in the country “It sort of feels like Willy Wonka’s golden ticket Everyone is looking for that chocolate bar with the golden ticket in it and we are hoping we have got the chocolates,” Nakhle said Chris (Green) and Ger (Beemsterboer) from Barneswood Farm “We met them through Peter and Dawn Williams so it I funny how this horse game brings people together “He and his brother Brian have got a share “It is a great bunch of really cool people that understand the ups and downs of the racing and breeding game and because of their understanding we tend to celebrate a reasonable amount when things go our way.” Nakhle is excited about the prospects of Penman in the NZB Kiwi and said his impressive last start victory at Tauranga sealed their decision “He is a horse that is on the up,” Nakhle said “The whole team put our heads together and we haven’t really gotten serious about many and certainly hadn’t pushed the panic button at all even with the race three weeks away.” With four slots left the more announcements are expected this week with the Selangor Turf Club from Malaysia who bought their slot at auction during the Karaka sales And Auckland Thoroughbred Racing will announce which horse will race in their slot at Ellerslie after Race 1 this Saturday That will leave two slots left to be named The meeting after the race meeting was different at this year’s TAB Karaka Millions It is not a formal thing – no invites are sent and the dress code for most is work boots and damp jumpers It happens after most of Ellerslie’s biggest race meetings as the track staff who enable it to happen come into the race-day office the control centre of our most glamorous racetrack This probably doesn’t happen at many racetracks or for that matter the workers and the bosses standing around discussing their multi-million dollar day those bosses could have been upstairs trying to impress the Prime Minister but were instead downstairs discussing one of their great shared loves: the Ellerslie track A lot has been written and said about the Ellerslie track which took plenty of bedding in when the new StrathAyr surface debuted last January They still had the racing office “meeting” after last year’s Karaka Million but that was when track manager Jason Fulford was still learning how to treat his new baby Back then, especially when two meetings got called off early or when things got a bit touch and go at the 2024 Karaka Millions, the track boys came in looking like they had been in a fight with Mother Nature. The knives were out and good people bore the brunt. The track was first good, then bad, then a disaster. Heads must roll said those hitting the panic buttons on their keyboards. The faces were longer at “the meeting” last year than but one thing was the same. Chief executive Paul Wilcox thanking his staff, standing by them rather than over them when things went wrong. Auckland Thoroughbred Racing chair Doug Alderslade was right there too, as he always is for “the meeting”. On Saturday, the bosses were there again but this was a different meeting. This Karaka Millions was the crowning glory for the new surface. Like last year we had Karaka Millions rain but not a word of a horse slipping. Our greatest sprint, the $700,000 Sistema Railway, was run in fading light after two heavy downpours but produced the race of the night, Crocetti beating two brave girls in Alabama Lass and Luberon. The reality is without this new Ellerslie Strathayr track our most important sprint race would have been run on a bog, a track unworthy of the event. She may be thirsty and she may still be revealing her mysteries to the track staff but the Ellerslie StrathAyr track showed in those three World Pool races on Saturday why it matters, why it works and where the money went. Fulford’s merry men, wet and having barely seen a race, drank their beer and Wilcox thanked them, and supported them just as he had last year. Staff were named one by one, thanked personally. Fulford spoke about what he has learned, how everybody he helped, about what he still hopes to learn. But on this Saturday night, a dozen people who had gone to work to try to put on a show, a safe show, for the 10,000 people who went to the Karaka Millions and the millions who watched it around the world, enjoyed their beer. The talk soon turned to when “the boys” would be back at it. Back on their track. More race meetings just around the corner. Then the big one, the $9 million Champions Day on March 8. Then, after one beer maybe two, one by one they left. No after party for them. Ellerslie isn’t perfect, no racetrack is. It will have issues, some trainers will criticise it on the days they get beat, others love it when they win. The ideal equation of verti draining plus watering will change and evolve. It is, after all, a living thing. But on Saturday the Ellerslie track was the other winner at the TAB Karaka Millions. And those who attend that post-racing “meeting” with no invite and, as it turns out, no bottle opener, left Ellerslie smiling. Training New Zealand’s most exciting three-year-old stayer hasn’t exactly changed Shaun Clotworthy’s life but he admits it has changed his morning ritual. “I definitely go down to his box first when we go to work and make sure he has eaten all his feed and is feeling good,” smiles Clotworthy. The South Auckland horseman and wife Emma train Willydoit, who is already the red hot for the $1.25million Trackside NZ Derby on March 8 and he could even scare a few Derby opponents away if he smashes them in today’s $250,000 Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas at Ellerslie. The Clotworthys have often had a handy horse over the last decade and take legitimate contenders to not just the Guineas but the Avondale Cup (Aftermath) and the Sport Nation Classic (Malt Time). The couple also have two in the Guineas, with Interplanetary still improving and likely to be ridden more quietly. But the horse everybody is talking about is Willydoit, maybe the best horse the Clotworthys have ever had. He has looked every inch the son of his Victoria Derby-winning sire Tarzino, with a huge stride and he could even go to a new level stepping up to 2100m today. “Everything he has done suggests he will,” says Clotworthy. “We bought him to try to win a Derby and so far, so good. He is an exciting horse and we think he keeps getting better. “It is something new for us. We haven’t often had a horse so hot in a really big race and he is a horse that now comes with some expectation and, of course, he has that huge ownership base. “But not much really changes. We still have to train him the same as every other horse. We just check on him first in the morning,” says Clotworthy. Willydoit has drawn wide today but then again so have most of his key rivals and Clotworthy admits with the Derby two weeks away he will be happy to see jockey Masa Hashizume ride the hot favourite cold and have him winding up approaching the home turn. If Willydoit can come out and blow his opponents away some, like exciting filly Hinekaha, could change tack to the New Zealand Oaks but today’s race is about far more than just that pair. Bourbon Proof, Oceana Dream, Kiwi Skyhawk, Mustang Morgan, Golden Century, Skippers Canyon, Hakkinen and Australian visitor Thedoctoroflove could all go huge races today without surprising in what is a deeper-than-usual three-year-old staying crop, albeit one with a potential superstar at the head of the Derby market. At any normal meeting this Guineas would dominate all chat today but this is anything but a standard black-type Saturday, with the addition of the Group 1 Sport Nation Classic, the Avondale Cup and the Uncle Remus Stakes. All are serious races in their own right but also huge pointers to the enormous riches that lie ahead on Champions Day in two weeks. The Avondale Cup is not only the major lead-up to the Auckland Cup on March 8 but, most importantly, whoever wins today can’t be re-handicapped for the Cup so there is no reason for anybody to leave anything in the tank. About Time is not only favourite for today’s 2400m but also the 3200m of the Auckland Cup but Son Of Sun looked the value at $8 today as QEII Cup winner and he was excellent over a less suitable 1500m last start. El Vencedor looks set to get all favours over Orchestral even though she is probably the more talented of the pair in the Sport Nation Classic. With the wonderful mare having already drifted to $4.20, if her price keeps heading north she may be impossible for punters to resist, even if only as a cover bet. The Uncle Remus is a deep race but also a crucial form pointer for the $3.5million NZB Kiwi in a fortnight and the Lance O’Sullivan/Andrew Scott stable holds the key with both favourites, Sethito and Checkmate. “We have four chances in the race but I opt for Checkmate as our best hope,” says O’Sullivan. “He will probably have to settle back but he is a very good horse and I think Sethito will improve with the run. “We also have Hankee Alpha and Tristar in there and neither of them would be out of place in the Kiwi.”
 Trainer Stephen Marsh has told the Herald his Kiwi rep, Penman, will start in Race 4 so will come out of the Uncle Remus and that can only aid another go-forward horse in Dealt With (R8, No 2) who looks a good each-way chance. -Ellerslie, first race 1pm: Four black-type races including a Group 1 -Caulfield, first race 2.15pm NZ time: Three Group 1 races. -Rosehill, 2.30pm NZ time: Three Group 2 races. -Ashburton harness, first race 12.05 (Trackside 2). Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still at school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990. He became the Herald’s Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals. Damask Rose will race in the Karaka Millions 3YO at Ellerslie on Saturday, with top Australian jockey Blake Shinn on board after Opie Bosson's retirement. Photo / Race Images Not long before 7pm on Saturday, Damask Rose becomes Blake Shinn’s problem. It is not a bad problem for the internationally renowned jockey to have, riding the favourite in a $1.5 million race in front of a huge Ellerslie crowd. It’s the stuff elite Australian jockeys like Shinn live for. The favoured filly becomes Shinn’s concern because that is why Damask Rose’s trainer Mark Walker wants him to ride her. One man, one job. “Those great riders like Blake and Craig Williams [also riding at Ellerslie tonight] they just make less mistakes, especially in big races,” says Walker. “That is what they do week in, week out in Australia, in Hong Kong and I reckon you will see them coming here more because of the Entain stake money boosts, so I let them worry about the race-tactics stuff.” Damask Rose is a good filly, maybe a really good one, but she failed last start on the 12-day turnaround so Walker and training partner Sam Bergerson have put their energies into getting her right. First recovery, then fitness and finally adding blinkers to her gear, which can act like a mental turbo button. Walker is certain he has a happy, fit horse so he isn’t giving Damask Rose’s wide barrier draw too much thought. “That is Blake’s job and he is already doing that form so I won’t give him too many instructions.” If Shinn finds Damask Rose the right horse to follow and she produces her best down the centre of the Ellerslie straight, she can win - something that has been a rarity for Te Akau Racing at the new Ellerslie. Remarkably, our biggest and best stable has struggled since the StrathAyr track was opened a year ago. It has won just five races from 87 starters there, a stat it would like to recalibrate on Saturday. “We have had some bad luck in some big races but a little bit of it is the Opie [Bosson] factor,” Walker says about the recently retired jockey.
“He and I had a great understanding going back a long time and that makes training easier and we have missed that. “I think there are some really good jockeys in New Zealand. We will see who steps up to that role. “But we are also lucky we can call on world-class jockeys like Blake and Craig to ride at these big days and there is nothing new in that. It happens all over the world, it is just more attractive here now because of the money.” Tonight’s 3-year-old race is a tough one. If Damask Rose doesn’t win, the alternatives are many - maybe Yaldi is the best of them, just ahead of Bourbon Proof and Tuxedo. While it doesn’t dominate Ellerslie, Te Akau dominates the Karaka Millions 2-year-old race. They won it seven years straight before finishing second last year and have three of the four favourites on Saturday night. Walker favours To Bravery Born just over La Dorada, with Belle Du Monde set to become the hunter rather than the hunted. “We didn’t expect To Bravery Born to win like he did last start and he has improved again so he is our best chance just over La Dorada, who is a real little racehorse. “We have been riding Belle Du Monde too handy so it will be interesting to see if she can find a length or two ridden further back.” Walker says punters should be on Skew Wiff (race three, No 2) each way from her perfect draw in the $600,000 Westbury, while he hasn’t given up on Captured By Love, even from her wide draw in the $700,000 Sistema Railway. “A lot will depend on tempo but, late in the day, if they are coming down the middle of the track she could get her chance.” Earlier, the exciting Move To Strike (race one, No 1) resumes but has a tie-forward operation in his throat and finds himself in a race that maps to suit Poetic Champion. So far the new Ellerslie has been a Rubik’s Cube that Te Akau hasn’t been able to solve. On Saturday, with some help from Shinn and Williams, the tangerine stickers might all end up in the right place. 22 May 2025 16:00174m²402m²Ellerslie village investment• High-profile character investment in the heart of Ellerslie village • Fully leased to iconic and established tenant • Strategic location with easy access to motorways and public transport affordable bottom-drawer investment opportunity with future upside A rare chance to secure a prime landholding in the tightly held Ellerslie village precinct 107-109 Main Highway comprises a single-level commercial/retail building with the added benefit of six off-street car parks at the rear of the property The property is fully leased to a proven and established tenant returning a net rental of $115,680pa + GST and occupies a high-profile position surrounded by a range of retail The property offers excellent access to amenities public transport and motorway onramps and is located a short drive from Remuera and the Eastern Suburbs Consideration must also be given to the future potential of this underdeveloped site which benefits from 402sqm (more or less) of fee simple land and an intensive Business – Town Centre zoning Affordable opportunities in this tightly held precinct are rare El Vencedor: 'No reason to think he won't race at his peak.' Photo / Kenton Wright Race Images With so many great horses and talented horsepeople there is a lot of punting information to digest before making your Champion’s Day bets So here are what some of the best trainers in the business think of their key chances at Ellerslie tomorrow Crocetti (No.1): “He is working every bit as good as he was heading into the Railway so no reason to think he won’t perform to that level again.” Alabama Lass (No.5): “She worked really well between races here [Matamata] on Saturday Marokopa Falls: “Return To Sender would be our top pick as he has real class “But La Dorada is so tough she can still win even from her wider draw while He Who Dares was good at Matamata last start and is still improving.” To Cap It All (7) and Tale Of The Gypsy (11): “Both of To Cap It All’s starts have been in stakes races and she has won and run second so she can get some again El Vencedor (No.1): “He couldn’t be better He galloped super on Tuesday morning and I am glad we started him two weeks ago because he loves the racing “He has got the draw to to be handy and no reason to think he won’t race at his peak.” La Crique (No.6): “She galloped well last week and she should be better than when she finished second in the Herbie Dyke.” Orchestral (No.7): “Her last start has definitely bought her on and the 2000m will suit better I think she has the right draw to sit and watch her main rivals.” Qali Al Farrasha (No.8): “She is ready for 2000m and has the speed to use barrier 1 so should get a good run.” Trust In You (3) and Son Of Sun (4): “They are both ready and will run good races but if I had to go for one it would be Son Of Sun About Time (6): “We can’t buy a good draw at the moment She is spot on but Warren [Kennedy] will need to get on the back of the right horse.” Sailor Jack (9): “Mick Dee was our best man so it is very cool to have him riding him He will be aggressive and get handy and we think he has a real chance.” Checkmate (3) and Sethito (10): “They are the better of our four chances and between them it might come down to the tempo with Checkmate better suited if they go hard.” Penman (4) and Ardalio (11): “Not ideal draws but the wide draw probably affects Penman more as it makes it hard for him to get handy whereas the filly will settle back and run on strongly.” Perfumist (7): “We have a good draw and we are going to use it Damask Rose (No.8): “We think going in fesh will suit her and she trialled great last week She has a decent draw but we’d like some tempo.” Thedoctoroflove (1): “He has thrived since he has been in New Zealand and will eat up 2400m Tuxedo (2): “He is bang on and worked really well at Ellerslie on Monday I think the Waikato Guineas was the right lead-up race and while he will get back he can win.” Bourbon Proof (3) and Kiwi Skyhawk (7): “They are both exactly where we want them to be We have always thought they were true Derby horses and they get the draws so they are right in it.” better than he did last start but the draw doesn’t help But he might be a bit handier and we won’t be surprised if he bounces back.” Oceana Dream (5) and Grey Area (15): “Oceana Dream has come on exactly how we would have wanted since his last start To be honest I wouldn’t have chosen barrier 1 but it is better than being wide.” Hakkinen (6): “He is a horse on the way up and drawn to get a soft run so he will go well.” Public Attention has secured last spot in a $3.5m NZB Kiwi slot race The last piece of the NZB Kiwi puzzle was worth waiting for. It came on Wednesday morning when it was confirmed the overnight rumours were true and high-class Australian 3-year-old colt Public Attention was taking the last spot in the $3.5 million slot race at Ellerslie on Saturday week. After considering horses he and his business partners owned themselves prolific Australian owner Ozzie Kheir pulled off a late deal with the connections of the grey colt for him to race in their slot. Kheir’s slot was the last to be filled, finalising the field of 14 for our richest ever race which will be the highlight of a mammoth Champions Day. Rumours of the late-night deal swept through racing on Tuesday night and Public Attention was quickly into $4 second favouritism in the New Zealand TAB’s futures market. But with paperwork still to be signed it was left to co-trainer Mick Price to break the news that a serious horse was returning home to the country he was born in to add some top-end class to the NZB Kiwi. “He is a good colt and already proven in a good stakes race (Eskimo Prince Stakes, G3] over here,” Price told the Herald. “He is owned by Coolmore and their partners who bought him out of the Carlaw Park draft for $160,000 at Karaka.” Public Attention is by wonderful stallion Written Tycoon out of Legramor, a daughter of Katie Lee, the champion New Zealand three-year-old of 2009. In lovely touches for the first running of the new race, Public Attention was bred by industry legend the late Sir Patrick Hogan while Public Attention’s ownership group includes Sir Peter Vela, owner of New Zealand Bloodstock, the sponsor of the Kiwi. Because it is a slot race the NZB Kiwi doesn’t carry Group 1 status and that raised concerns it wouldn’t be able to attract the best colts, who would instead chase Group 1 wins in Australia to increase their future stud worth. While that has proven to be the case with New Zealand’s best colt Savaglee, whose connections chose to target Saturday’s A$1m Australian Guineas rather than the NZB Kiwi, Price says that wasn’t an issue for Public Attention’s owners. “I was talking to Tom Magnier from Coolmore about it and with the colt having a really strong New Zealand family of the late Sir Patrick Hogan’s behind him there has already been interest from some New Zealand studs in him. “So they think if he can go across there and win a really big race like this it can only help his credentials over there. “We are excited to be part of it. He is a colt who can run handy to the speed and is obviously proven right-handed. “So this race ticks a lot of boxes for him.” Public Attention will be ridden by Wiremu Pinn, who rode winners for the Price/Michael Kent junior stable when based in Victoria last year. “He is a jockey we like and I think he will only get better and more consistent as he gets older so we are happy to have him on.” There is no waiting around on the NZB Kiwi campaign trail for Public Attention, who was fourth to a genuine star in Broadsiding in the Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill last Saturday but will arrive in Auckland on Thursday night. “He will head across and stay at Lance Noble’s stables, which I have had a tour of and is very nice, and he will head to Ellerslie for a gallop next Wednesday morning.” Not only is Public Attention good enough to win the race but like fellow Australian-trained reps Evaporate and Perfumist he is a natural go-forward horse. Which makes the barrier draw to be held at 7pm next Tuesday even more crucial. Auckland CityPrice by Negotiation42946m²A private family retreatSelling well below CV Tucked away on a private gated driveway on one of the area’s most loved streets this immaculate family home is an entertainer’s dream this home features a stunning open-plan layout with seamless access to the expansive outdoor spaces with a large heated in-ground swimming pool and lush lawn area - ideal for children to play or for adults to unwind in style A louvre-covered outdoor seating area provides the perfect setting for alfresco dining and entertaining year-round The home also includes a unique games/rumpus room currently set up in the internal double garage providing the ultimate recreational space or retuned to a garage should you wish A dedicated free standing home office upon entry though the gates ensures the perfect work-from-home setup while ample off-street parking offers convenience for family and guests Perfectly positioned within walking distance to Ellerslie Village this home is an incredible opportunity for buyers seeking space The motivated vendors are ready for their next chapter - don’t miss your chance to secure this exceptional opportunity Sacred Heart College and Glendowie College The debate over the best Wexford Stables filly has gone quiet heading into today’s Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Stakes at Ellerslie That doesn’t mean Prosegur can’t strike back in the Group 2 but both punters and her own trainers admit it is advantage Sethito at this stage Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott couldn’t decide who was their better chance when the two high-class fillies met in the Bonecrusher Stakes last start but Sethito bolted in The win was so convincing Sethito has been heavily backed to repeat it today and O’Sullivan who wasn’t sure who he favoured more last start “She was so good last start even after working early she has to be the one to beat again,” says O’Sullivan “Going into their last clash we thought she [Sethito] may have the talent but Prosegur the attitude but she was very good winning “She overcame a wide draw that day so it suggests she can do it again.” Maybe the greatest concern for Sethito is the step up to 1600m after her two recent 1400m wins as her motor seems to run very fast and she got keen two starts ago That would suggest she is improving mentally and she has winning form at the new Ellerslie which could be crucial in the major races this summer The Eight Carat is anything but a two-filly race but it could continue a huge run for the stable’s three-year-olds with Checkmate (R7 No 3) also contributing in the Shaws Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas today He was enormous winning last start and while he has to concede weight to a class filly in Damask Rose today “He has a week off after that win but has worked up well and while Damask Rose will be hard to beat The stable looks like one to follow again today while there has already been money for Grande Gallo ($14 into $8) in the third race “She is good enough to win and flying but it is a very strong Rating 75 so she could go great and still get beaten,” says O’Sullivan The stable also have the hard-to-catch Karman Line in Race 4 but she is not ideally placed at the weights The best five races to (responsibly) bet into today: R9: Snazzytavi should win but if you’re not keen on the $1.70 then La Crique top 2 at $2.60 is a fair price You can even make a case for Meaningful Star at $2.90 top 4 as he was good at this type of distance in Hong Kong and loves this track R7: Checkmate top 2 at $2.20 is a great bet as he can win but even if Damask Rose is too sharp R8: Those at the stable are saying Sethito is their best chance She is getting better so anything around $2.50 to win is a good bet R2: The right people are saying Belle Du Monde is a good filly and real Karaka Million chance If they are correct she must go close to winning this even more so as Ace Lawson-Carroll claims 2kg But if you taking her $3.30 win price make sure you cover at $6.50 on Dazzled Blake Shinn winning the Eight Carat Classic at Pukekohe on Molly Bloom on Boxing Day Champion Australian jockey Blake Shinn looks set to have a huge impact on Ellerslie’s glamour meetings in the next month Shinn has been confirmed to ride exciting 3-year-old filly Damask Rose when she takes on the boys in the $270,000 Shaws Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas on Boxing Day Shinn will also partner Campionessa in her Zabeel Classic defence and promising juvenile filly Belle Du Monde in the $80,000 juvenile race on Thursday New Zealand’s leading Group 1 jockey Opie Bosson partnered Damask Rose when she returned with a stunning win at Te Rapa nine days ago but would not have been able to make her 55kg on Thursday as Damask Rose gets weight relief that frees up Bosson to partner Ladies Man in the $500,000 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic Victory would give Bosson his 100th Group 1 winner New South Wales jockey Rory Hutchings will also return to New Zealand for the Zabeel and partner El Vencedor Damask Rose is the $2.35 favourite for the Guineas which her connections have chosen because it is a 1400m event rather than the 1600m of the Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic Shinn is no stranger to major race success at this meeting having ridden Molly Bloom to win the Eight Carat last Boxing Day He is also confirmed to return to Ellerslie for the Karaka Millions meeting on January 25 with Damask Rose the early favourite for the $1.5 million Karaka Million Three-Year-Old The Karaka Millions meeting is being targeted by several leading Australian-based jockeys including Kiwi-bred Here To Shock in the A$1m Supernova Campionessa may be the defending champion in the Zabeel Classic but she is rated a $13 chance by TAB bookies for what’s shaping up as one of the weight-for-age highlights of the season Snazzytavi is odds-on at $1.80 for her first right-handed start since winning the Stella Artois final over 1500m at Pukekohe last Boxing Day but the Zabeel also contains Group 1 winners Ladies Man TAB bookies moved quickly to open Ellerslie’s Boxing Day races yesterday and while there is no domestic racing in New Zealand on Christmas Day the Boxing Day markets will remain open online Ellerslie boss Paul Wilcox says changing trends are providing racegoers with a rare Boxing Day opportunity this week The prime hospitality areas at Ellerslie are usually sold out weeks in advance for the huge Boxing Day meeting but Wilcox says the club has noticed a change in recent years even for our top-range areas like Cuvee,” says Wilcox “So we have really strong bookings and are certain to get more this week but things have definitely changed both in people’s habits and also with money being tighter for some people “So we’re in that rare position of having even Cuvee tables available Ellerslie has the full range of options for punters on Thursday from the collar-and-tie crowd to families using the infield “We have a lot going on, with a fashion event and a real variety of ways for people to enjoy the day, so the best way to see what is available is the website [ellerslie.co.nz] as then people can tailor the day to what they want “But one of the biggest determinants of the eventual crowd size will be the weather Auckland club Ellerslie have re-appointed Ryan Shiffman as the head coach of their women’s first team for 2025 whose team plays in the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership is confident next season is going to be successful for the club Main photo: Ryan Shiffman … his squad wants another shot at National League. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek “We are developing a team that wants to compete with the best across New Zealand and I think in 2025 we will definitely showcase that,” he told the club’s website Ellerslie qualified for the Women’s National League in 2023 — the first time the side had reached that level in the club’s history — but missed out in 2024 we weren’t able to hit our stride and things happened to not go our way in many instances I think we had a lot more about us than people gave us credit for and I know we have a group of players that are determined to prove that this time around.” Next season’s Premiership starts on March 22 and Shiffman’s squad start pre-season training and trials on January 23 “As we continue to confirm our staff and players for 2025 through the coming months I think you’re going to find a very driven group of people with a common goal of qualifying for National League for our Prems and competing for the top league spots for our reserves team while also developing both teams to play at higher levels,” he said “This is a group that wants to take up extra trainings that wants to get feedback on their play through things like video sessions and IPPs a group that always pulls together to support each other really enjoys their football and the team environment and a group that makes genuine friendships along the way.” This story was first published on January 3 Auckland CityPrice by Negotiation312Investors - All The Hard Work Has Been Done!Perfectly positioned one block from the southern boundary of Remuera this home provides strong rental returns and future capital growth This hidden gem offers the best of Ellerslie living A rare opportunity to secure a high demand low maintenance investment in one of Ellerslie's most sought-after streets offered at an entry price Everyone will love the unbeatable convenience Michaels Avenue Reserve and a 3 minute drive to the Ellerslie Village which includes a railway station providing direct access into the CBD open-plan living space that flows seamlessly to a private easy-care garden - a perfect retreat for tenants or owners alike • Two double bedrooms and one single bedroom - ideal for families or professionals • Open-plan living with seamless indoor-outdoor flow • Two separate toilets for added convenience • Internal access garage and two on site car parks With a prime location and strong rental demand this is an investment opportunity that won't last long Act now and secure your place in this high-growth area today For auction sales results from Ray White Ellerslie other sales stats for Panmure/Pt England and local suburbs new listings and market news check out www.facebook.com/MtWellingtonRealEstate Sydney-based Perfumist has drawn barrier two for the NZB Kiwi at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo / Supplied Sydney filly Perfumist looks the big winner in the barrier draw for New Zealand’s richest ever race, the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Bjorn Baker-trained filly drew barrier two from where she should be able to hop straight on the speed, her preferred racing style. Her draw is certain to see her shorten when the TAB market reopens after the draw. The biggest loser in the draw appears to be Public Attention, who has drawn the outside barrier 14. The draw was made at the Hilton Hotel in Auckland last night while the rest of the fields for Saturday’s $9m Barfoot and Thompson Champions Day will be released around 10.30am on Wednesday. Four emergencies have been announced for the NZB Kiwi but they were not allocated barrier draws because if there is a scratching, the replacement chosen by the slot holders will use the withdrawn horse’s barrier draw. $3.5m, 1500m at Ellerslie at 4.32pm on Saturday. The field for New Zealand’s richest ever horse race is: Auckland CityPrice By Negotiation311129m²Presenting ALL Offers!Step into this beautifully renovated 3 bedroom spread across two levels and designed to impress This low-maintenance home is perfect for those looking for a hassle-free lifestyle With plenty of natural light and all day sun airy interior creates a welcoming atmosphere Conveniently located within walking distance Sylvia Park Mall Don't miss out on the opportunity to make this your new home sweet home For more info contact RUBAL SINGH on 021 333 350 or KARLEN ATHNAEIL on 027 777 8468 Disclaimer - This property is being sold without a price and therefore a price guide can not be provided Mount Wellington is a suburb within Auckland’s Territorial Authority it is one of 269 residential suburbs in the region and ranks as the 11th largest suburb by total housing stock While its oldest homes date back to the 1880s most of the residential housing in Mount Wellington was built in the 1950s Approximately 95% of Mount Wellington’s housing stock consists of owner-occupied residential properties while the remaining 5% are investment properties Mount Wellington is home to several notable amenities and landmarks one of New Zealand's largest shopping centres The suburb offers convenient access to Auckland CBD proving to be a great location for a diverse range of residents from growing families to frequent commuters Find properties for sale in Mt Wellington