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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
The NZB Kiwi is set to have direct Australian involvement with the announcement on Wednesday that Ozzie Kheir has selected the Mitch Freedman-trained Asakura (Churchill) for his slot in the $4 million Champions Day feature. With unbeaten filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) dominating calculations as the $1.20 favourite, doubts had been expressed that unlike last year’s inaugural NZB Kiwi (1500m) when eventual runner-up Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) as well as Perfumist (NZ) (El Roca) and Public Attention (NZ) (Written Tycoon) made the trip to Auckland, there might be no Australian runners. Asakura, a gelding by Churchill with two wins and a second from his first three starts, stepped up to black-type competition in the Gr.3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last Saturday and finished second to the $1.60 favourite Sixties (Flying Artie). “He’s what I would describe as a progressive young horse that has still got a lot of improvement in him,” Freedman said. “As we saw last Saturday he still does a few things wrong, but he’s learning all the time and we see the Kiwi as a good option for him at this stage. “That was his first time at 1400m and the step up to 1500 should work for him, especially if there’s good tempo which I imagine would be the case given the race it is. “It’s a very attractive stake and while that filly looks very good, we felt it was still worth going across for.” Confirmation of NZB Kiwi plans for Asakura has cemented his place as the $8 equal second favourite alongside Belle Cheval (NZ) (Belle Cheval), who has her final lead-up in Saturday’s Gr.3 Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie. Freedman (no relation to the Freedman brothers Lee, Anthony, Richard and Michael) has quickly established himself in Victorian training ranks. From his Ballarat base he has prepared Attrition (Churchill) to win the 2023 Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield and Skybird last year’s Gr.1 Lightning (1000m) at Flemington. “We’ve got fantastic facilities at Ballarat and we’ve been building a nice team around us, so I’m now looking forward to having my first runner in New Zealand.” Although Freedman has had no previous involvement with Kheir, there is still some connection through Asakura’s part-owners Jomara Bloodstock, the Auckland-based Carter family who were co-owners with Kheir of the champion stayer Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed). Kheir has been a serious investor in quality New Zealand racehorses for several years and his colours will be carried at Ellerslie on Saturday by Gr.1 Sport Nation Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m) favourite Pier (NZ) (Proisir). “Racing is all about establishing relationships and I’m looking forward to being involved with Ozzie in this venture,” Freedman said. Travel plans have yet to be confirmed for Asakura but Freedman has already confirmed that regular rider Dean Yendall will continue his association with Asakura. “The three weeks between races works well and it gives us time to make all the necessary arrangements, so we’ll know more once flights over have been confirmed,” he said. Australian involvement in New Zealand racing continues this weekend with Victorian stayers Brayden Star (Twilight Son) and Interpretation (Galileo) scheduled to run in the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup (2400m). The Ciaron Maher-trained Interpretation is no stranger to local racing, having capped three starts this time last year with a third placing in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) and returning to finish midfield in last month’s Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m). Fellow English-bred Brayden Star, a member of expats Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young’s team, scored his sixth career win in the Gr.2 Herbert Power Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield last October and resumed with a ninth placing over 2000m at Flemington a month ago. Opie Bosson has been booked to ride him on Saturday in what will be his lead-up to the Trackside Auckland Cup back at Ellerslie on Champions Day. – Dennis Ryan View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Talented staying filly Fly Zenno (NZ) (Ancient Spirit) will line up in Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Ellerslie, a target her connections have held close since day one. Prepared by Conor and Sarah Fahy, the scopey daughter of Ancient Spirit has finished just behind the minor placings at her past two outings, finishing fifth in the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) before a solid fourth in the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2100m) at Te Rapa. On both occasions, Fly Zenno was comfortably held by Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park), who will start a warm favourite in Saturday’s Oaks. But with a more positive running style than many of her rivals and the make and shape of a Classic filly, Fly Zenno is sure to give her emerging trainers a run for their money. “We bought her as a yearling at Karaka with the hope she’d end up in the Oaks, that’s what we told all the owners and it is pleasing to see her meet that goal,” Conor Fahy said. “She was just a lovely scopey filly, light on her feet and we loved her from the first time we saw her. Jack and Wayne Stewart (of White Robe Lodge) gave us the push to buy her and we’re pleased we did.” A $30,000 yearling purchase, Fahy said despite the Oaks being a logical target, Fly Zenno hasn’t been over-pressured. “We have been quite soft on her because as much as we were hoping she was an Oaks filly, she is still probably a preparation away from being at her very best,” he said. “We are hoping that she will get the distance but at the same time we haven’t pushed her to get there. “If Ohope Wins gets the run of the race, I’d say she will be extremely hard to beat. It is probably the wrong year for a small stable like us to have a filly for the Oaks. “It looks like one of the strongest Oaks fields in recent memory. There is really good depth in the race and we are a maiden going in, so we are under no illusions.” Regular rider Matthew Cameron will partner the filly from barrier nine and Fahy is hoping there is genuine tempo for the $35 chance. “We won’t make it a trot and canter but at the same time we would love to take a sit on a good pace and have something to strike at,” he said. “She is still quite green and although she is learning as she goes, it would be nice for her to be able to follow something and kick off the back of them. “Matt (Cameron) knows her well and he is just going to have to ride the race as it unfolds in front of him. From where they jump from, she can jump off and just roll along nicely.” The talented couple have made a good fist of training from their Pukekohe base, but saddling an elite level runner will provide a rare buzz. “It is unbelievable to have a nice filly in the Oaks,” Fahy said. “We really only have five or six out of the stable racing at any one time as we are busy with young horses and doing a couple here and there for other people. “To have a filly in a Group One race at this early stage of our careers is amazing and we’re really looking forward to Saturday.” View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Racing NSW stewards have cleared $10 million earner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) to continue his autumn carnival campaign. Ceolwulf has passed a series of veterinary tests since he was found to have traces of blood in both nostrils after finishing unplaced in the Apollo Stakes won by unbeaten Autumn Glow at Royal Randwick last Saturday. The tests proved that Ceolwulf had not bled internally (lungs) which would have resulted in an automatic three-month racing Randwick Equine Centre veterinarians reported that endoscopic and computed tomographic examination have “ruled out any current major cause of respiratory associated haemorrhage”. “Given the lack of overt evidence of either a major source of upper respiratory haemorrhage or exercise-related induced pulmonary haemorrhage….the gelding is suitable for immediate return to training and racing,” the report read. It was revealed “stable clots were visible in the ethmoid region of the nasal passage further indicating an upper respiratory source”. Trainer Joe Pride met with stewards at Warwick Farm before the first race and was relieved when told Ceolwulf’s autumn carnival campaign remains on track. “This is a very unique set of circumstances, it will be rare to see another case like Ceolwulf’s,” Pride said. “I feared the worst after the race last Saturday when I saw traces of blood but the horse pulled up so well so I had him scoped and it came up clear. The horse has undergone further tests and it proved he didn’t bleed. “He hasn’t missed a beat since the race, as the reports say he is spot on so we can press on with his autumn campaign.” Pride said Ceolwulf will go to the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on February 28 and then to the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill before the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick. “I was very concerned he might have to miss a run. He missed a run last autumn and it disrupted his entire campaign,” Pride said. “But he can stick to our plan and he will be at his peak for the Australian Cup and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.” View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
After having to endure another stint on the sideline in his roller-coaster career, dual premiership-winning jockey Michael McNab is looking forward to his raceday return at Ellerslie this weekend. McNab, who won back-to-back premierships in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, has been off the scene since early last September after suffering a complicated leg fracture when kicked by a young horse he was about to mount at an Ellerslie trial meeting. The initial prognosis was for a six to eight-week recovery, but with a plate and screws having to be inserted in what turned out to be a more serious fracture, his recovery has taken more than five months. “When it happened I went for x-rays in Auckland Hospital that night and they said it was a fracture of the bone just below my knee,” McNab said. “Then when I got home more x-rays and scans revealed how bad it really was and I knew then it was going to be a long recovery. “I was in a lot of pain and not quite able to understand what the surgeon was telling me, but as well as a plate and screws they inserted some sort of animal bone to help rebuild the missing bone at the top of my tibia.” Adding further frustration to his predicament, McNab had established an early lead on the premiership in the opening weeks of the season, having been sidelined with a serious back injury 18 months earlier. Since winning his two premierships with tallies of 144 and 164, he had still fared well to ride 124 winners when finishing second to Warren Kennedy in 2023-24 and 86 wins for another runner-up spot behind Craig Grylls last season. “I’m just happy to be back,” said 40-year-old McNab, who is 79 wins short of joining the 1,000 wins club. “I’m feeling good, the workout sessions have got me fit with my cardios and everything, and my weight is only about 1.5 kilos above what I’ve normally been able to make, so that will come back down pretty quickly. “I’ve been back riding trackwork and had my first day at the trials on Tuesday, so that’s all gone really well. “I’ve decided to ease back into raceday and I’ve taken just the two rides (Pier and Bulgari) on Saturday. “That will be me for the first couple of weeks and I’m aiming to be all set for the big (Champions) day at Ellerslie. “I’ve missed most of the spring and summer, so I’m keen to make up for that when I get back into it properly.” – Dennis Ryan, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk View the full article -
By Chief Stipe · Posted
I never delete anything. If you think your "free speech rights" are being restricted then take it up with the Human Rights Commission.
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