Promising Debut by Pop Diva for Isdale

Media Release - Monday April 16

Pop Diva provided Te Awamutu-based trainer Clint Isdale with a promising debut at Waipa on Wednesday, running on well for third in the NZB Pearl Series Race.

Pop DivaA $1,600 purchase off gavelhouse.com in February as an unraced three-year-old.

Isdale trains in partnership with Gemma Hewetson and the pair have 31 horses currently in their care comprising of a mixture of yearlings, their own racing stock and pre-trainers for Isdale's former boss in Singapore-based trainer Lesley Khoo.

"I saw her on gavelhouse.com and saw she was NZB Insurance Pearl Series nominated and that enticed me.

Advertisement

"Then after watching her run third in a trial behind Sacred Day, who Tony Pike has an opinion of, it enticed me even more."

Isdale has been a regular buyer on www.gavelhouse.com and reports that to date they are all going well and are set to trial shortly.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Vale Think About It – Everest Winner Gone Too Soon
The great champion So You Think sired many outstanding horses, but none faster than brilliant sprinter Think About It, winner of the $20million The Everest in 2023.
$240,000 Night of Thunder Mare Mount Bona Tops Inglis Digital
Mount Bona (Night of Thunder) – a winner of her past three starts for Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich – topped today’s Inglis Digital February (Early) Online Sale, realising $240,000.
Highview Announce Unreserved Deplenishing Sale On-Farm
Longstanding vendors Highview who have been selling yearlings since 1986, have announced the staging of an Unreserved Deplenishing Sale at its Hamilton property on Sunday 15 March 2026. 
Price-Kent Trained Mare Chasing Kiwi G1
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained Knobelas will tackle 2000m for the first time when she contests the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Caulfield set for Charity Family Day fun and fundraising
Blue Diamond Preludes and the return of Group I VRC Victoria Derby winner Observer will make for a great Saturday at Caulfield and MRC CEO Tanya Fullarton said the day would be a celebration of racing, community and charity. 
Eight Yearlings for Goodwood Farm at Inglis Classic
Kerrie Tibbey’s Goodwood Farm have a rich history of producing G1 winners with the likes of Private Eye, Dance Hero, Rebel Dane, Sacred Choice and Manawanui and at this year’s Inglis Classic yearling sale will offer eight yearlings by a mix of proven and second crop sires.
El Vencedor Ready to Defend G1 Herbie Dyke
El Vencedor has been given the green light to defend his title in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.
King of Karaka Counts Down to a Favourite Race Day
Fresh from claiming the title of leading buyer at Karaka for the 18th time, Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis is turning his attention to one of his highlights of the racing calendar at Te Rapa this Saturday.
First Season Sires Unraced Trial Report
The Inglis Classic Yearling Sale kicks off on Sunday and if you’re out inspecting yearlings it’s always useful to have a factual picture of what is going on with first season sires, whose second crop of yearlings are being sold right now.
People at Classic - Inspections Are Busy
Maree McEwan has been out and about talking to some of the major players at the Inglis Classic Sale where it’s fair to say things are busy with a big buying bench limbering up for Sunday’s kick off.