A once prolific winner on the New Zealand shearing scene has bounced-back in Northland for a first victory in more than 11 years, with hope of more to come.

The New Zealand first-class cricket season has closed with the Central Stags defending the historic Plunket Shield for the first time since 1968.

Matamata trainer Graham Richardson, who trains in partnership with Gavin Parker, is confident his Group One winning mare Volpe Veloce can bounce back to form in the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Japan NZ International Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga on Saturday.

FDarren Kelly’s Nissan R35 continued dominance in the past weekend's event dubbed "The Chase" at Waikato’s Hampton Downs Club Circuit.

The Massey women's sevens team (left) manager Chris Sharrock Stephanie McKenzie, assistant-coach Kahu Sturmey (Assistant Coach), Megan Bramley, Nicola Chase, Pia Tapsell, Tiana Davison, Kaitlin Bates and coach Strahan McIntosh.

Not one, not two, not three but four different drivers shared Aarque Group KZ2 class kudos at the second round of this year’s Toyota Racing ProKart Series in conjunction with Speedworks over the weekend.

Waverley trainer Bill Thurlow was pleased with the runner-up performance of lightly-raced three-year-old Beyond The Fort in last Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).

There has been a change of plans for Group One winner Consensus.

The Stephen McKee-trained runner was set to head to Sydney to line-up in the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday, but the wet weather forecast has put a halt to those plans.

In a busy day of competition New Zealand athletes have won a raft of medals at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi.

Athletics

Isaiah Papali’i and Issac Luke are in line to make their first NRL appearances of the year for the Vodafone Warriors after being named on an extended bench for Sunday’s clash with the Tigers in Sydney.