Tulsa King, a horse acquired for a mere $1500, delivered an immediate and substantial return for his owners by clinching a $40,000 race at New Plymouth last Saturday. This three-year-old gelding, trained by Aaron Bidlake, defied odds of 12 to one to secure a surprising victory in challenging conditions.
The race at Taranaki Extreme saw Tulsa King start slowly, trailing the five-horse field. However, under jockey Elen Nicholas, he made a strong move on the outside in the final stretch. Despite facing a heavy track and driving rain, Tulsa King surged past Luminance, who had taken an early lead, to win by a length and a half. This marked the horse’s third career start and his first since Bidlake and his partner, Michelle Young, purchased him from the Gavelhouse equine auction site three months prior for $1500.
Bidlake and Young retain a 45 percent ownership, having sold the remaining 55 percent to family members and the Grassroots Racing Kings Syndicate. This syndicate, spearheaded by Michelle Young, aims to lower the financial barrier for individuals interested in racehorse ownership. “The syndicate has been very well received,” Bidlake commented. “We have got several Hawke’s Bay people involved and quite a few of them are first-time racehorse owners.”
Tulsa King had previously raced twice as a two-year-old under Waikato-based trainer Barry Donoghue, failing to impress with only one horse behind him in both starts. His small stature led his previous owners to believe he had limited racing potential, prompting his sale. Bidlake, however, was drawn to the horse due to his breeding. Tulsa King is out of an Encosta De Lago mare and is a half-brother to a Savabeel filly that sold for $80,000 at the Karaka yearling sales in January. “He is only very small, which is why he would never have sold as a young horse, but he looks to have a big heart and shows plenty,” Bidlake noted.
Uncertain about Tulsa King’s readiness for his first-up run after only a couple of gallops, Bidlake considered the race akin to a trial. “To be perfectly honest I didn’t really know much about the horse and I was using the race as more like a trial,” he admitted. “But he won well and I think he’s got a bit of a future.” Following his demanding race and long trip, Tulsa King is being given a few quiet days. Bidlake is considering his next start in another three-year-old race at either Hawera on October 4 or Otaki on October 11.
Bidlake, who has trained thoroughbreds for two decades, relocated to Hawke’s Bay approximately 18 months ago after previously being based in his hometown of Masterton. Tulsa King represents his first winner from his new location, though he currently has a limited number of horses in training. His foundational experience in thoroughbreds was gained over four years at Ardsley Park Stud in Masterton, where he worked with both Jim Wallace’s racing stable and prepared yearlings for sale. He credits veteran trainer Alby MacGregor and James Wallace, son of Jim Wallace, as significant mentors during his early career.
Earlier in his career, Bidlake held a permit-to-train license and, through his friendship with the Wallace family, acquired Eric The Viking, arguably the best horse he has trained to date. Leasing this horse, Bidlake raced him with his brother Nigel and three friends. Eric The Viking achieved nine victories, amassing over $260,000 in prize money. Similar to Tulsa King, Eric The Viking was small in stature but possessed a large heart, proving successful in both flat racing and steeplechasing. His flat victories included the Whyte Handicap (1600m) and the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m), while his jumping wins included the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) and the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m).
Spark Shows Promise in Debut
The well-related Hastings-trained filly Spark made a notable debut in black-type company at Riccarton last Saturday, finishing a commendable fourth in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m). This performance suggests she has inherited significant ability from her lineage. Co-trainer, breeder, and owner Guy Lowry expressed confidence in the filly, stating, “We do rate her very highly and she had to do a bit from the wide draw.” Lowry, who trains in partnership with Leah Zydenbos, added, “We weren’t worried about the ability, we were just worried about her greenness, given how little she had done.”
Spark had participated in two trials at Foxton, winning the second with an impressive front-running display. “She has showed us plenty and we’ll now put her out for three weeks,” Lowry confirmed. “We’ll work out a plan and maybe look at some of the three-year-old fillies’ races over Christmas.” Spark is by Time Test out of the No Excuse Needed mare Flare, who is a three-quarter sister to Ambitious Dragon, a former two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year. Ambitious Dragon had a brief stint with Lowry before moving to Tony Millard’s stable in Hong Kong. Spark is also a half-sister to Candle, a multiple winner for Lowry who later added two more victories from Richard Didham’s stable in Riccarton.
Livamol Classic Retains Group 1 Status Amidst Racing Review
The Livamol Classic, Hawke’s Bay Racing’s richest recent race, has maintained its Group 1 status following a review of elite New Zealand races by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. This review was prompted by recommendations from the Asian Pattern Committee. Under Asian Pattern Committee rules, races recording three consecutive runnings below international Group 1 benchmarks trigger a vote.
As a consequence of the review, the Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) has been downgraded from Group 1 to Group 2, reflecting its recent performance history. It will continue to offer $500,000 in prizemoney and will be held at Trentham on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The Asian Pattern Committee also confirmed continued Group 1 status, for the time being, for the New Zealand Oaks and New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. Calendar and venue adjustments have been made for these races, as well as for the Livamol Classic and the Telegraph, based on overall field quality and historical standing.
To preserve their international standing and bolster the racing calendar, two premier Group 1 races will relocate venues and dates this season. The $1 million Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) will be run at Ellerslie on February 21, two weeks prior to the $1.25 million Group 1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Champions Day meeting. The $600,000 Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) will revert to its traditional late-March timing at Awapuni on Saturday, March 28.
The New Zealand Oaks, long considered the definitive test for three-year-old fillies, faced the risk of downgrade due to three consecutive years falling below required international ratings. Its move to February is intended to address challenges in attracting top-level fillies and to create a more natural linkage with the New Zealand Derby and Australian autumn features. This change is approved for one year, with its position subject to review. The $150,000 Group 2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes (2100m) will also move to Wellington Cup day at Trentham on January 31, serving as a sharper lead-in to the Oaks.
The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, New Zealand’s sole Group 1 race exclusively for fillies and mares, will also undergo a reset, returning to its traditional March slot at Awapuni. This creates a significant Central Districts raceday featuring five black-type events, including two Group 1s: the Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). Supporting pathway races have also been realigned: the $200,000 Group 3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) moves to Awapuni on Sunday, March 1; the $600,000 Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) shifts from the TAB Karaka Millions meeting on Saturday, January 24, to Champions Day on Saturday, March 7; and the $90,000 Royal Descent Stakes (1400m) moves from the SkyCity Boxing Day races to the TAB Karaka Millions.
Trials Scheduled for Awapuni Grass Track
Following an inspection of the Awapuni grass racetrack last Monday, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and RACE Inc. have confirmed ongoing improvements to the track surface due to recent favorable weather conditions. Warmer temperatures have promoted grass growth, contributing to an overall enhancement of the track. While several steps remain before racing can fully resume, NZTR will collaborate with the Club to implement an agreed return-to-racing protocol. A trial meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 6, with an expected turnout of 80 to 90 horses across various heats. A further inspection will take place after the trials to assess the track’s suitability for race meetings, with the first tentatively scheduled for Saturday, November 1.
