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I haven't got a Zillion dollars, that's why I'm moving my own lawns! -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
A quartet of group 1 races will take place in Australia March 8.View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Per Incanto’s son Evaporate is ready to fulfil expectations and complete a memorable New Zealand feature race double for brothers Ben, Will and JD Hayes. He has headed betting for the $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m) since he was confirmed in early January by slot holder Entain as their representative in the inaugural running of the age group event. The three-year-old will bid to emulate older stablemate Here To Shock, who was sent across the Tasman by the Lindsay Park operation last month to romp to victory in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa. Evaporate arrived without incident last week and hasn’t missed a beat in the meantime. “We’re staying with Lance Noble and he worked super (on Thursday morning), I am very happy with the way he’s settled in,” JD Hayes said. “They are amazing facilities and we’re very lucky to be here. The horse has thrived and we’re all looking forward to Saturday. “It will be his first start this way of going, but he seemed to handle the course proper gallop (at Ellerslie on Monday) very well.” Evaporate has been successful four times from 12 appearances with his homecoming prompted by his spring form. He completed four wins on the bounce when triumphant in the Gr.2 Stutt Stakes (1400m) and finished third in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) before tailing the field home in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m). “He put the writing on the wall as a very progressive three-year-old in the spring, we were approached for a slot and put a big circle around this date, so hopefully the plan comes off,” Hayes said. Evaporate has further boosted his profile this time in with a resuming third in the Gr.2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) and off a wide run finished fourth, and less than two lengths off stablemate Mr Brightside, in the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m). “We have done a lot of form and are respectful of the opposition, but we do feel that we’ve brought the right horse over,” Hayes said. “He’s in barrier 10 and there looks to be some nice speed and we should be able to come across and get a nice run.” Evaporate was bred by Little Avondale Stud, who remain in the ownership group, and will be partnered by regular rider Michael Dee. The stable is primed for a massive afternoon with fan favourite Mr Brightside chasing a 10th elite level title in the Gr.1 All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington. “He is fit and firing and will take a lot of beating, as he always does,” Hayes said. Lindsay Park will also be represented by Rise At Dawn, an Almanzor four-year-old bred by Monovale Farm who has won eight of his 13 starts, including a last-start success in the Listed The Elms Handicap (1400m). “He’s got a very good record and I’m excited, and that’s an understatement, for this weekend,” Hayes said. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson will head to Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday with a number of leading prospects, and the country’s leading trainers are looking forward to being a part of the monumental meeting. The 10-race card will include eight stakes races, three at Group One level, and the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), and Bergerson said it will be a landmark day for New Zealand racing. “It is a ground-breaking day in terms of the history of New Zealand racing,” he said. “It is probably the best race meeting that has ever been put on. To be a part of it and to have some nice, live chances on a big day of racing like that is something the whole team is excited about. “It is a credit to Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and Entain, who have come on board and really changed the game. “It is an exciting time in New Zealand racing. Even speaking with my Dad (Roydon Bergerson, trainer) who has been in the game a long time, he said he couldn’t remember a time that it’s ever been like this. “There is plenty to look forward to, and that is highlighted by Saturday’s racing and the quality of the fields is second to none.” The Matamata stable have a strong hand in the opening Group One of the day, the Sistema Stakes (1200m), where they will be represented by a quartet of runners, including the undefeated Return To Conquer. The two-year-old son of Snitzel has won all three of his starts to date, including the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m), and Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), and will get his first tilt at elite-level this weekend. “He has got the perfect record, and he was very good at Matamata,” Bergerson said. “We are putting the blinkers on Saturday, we have kept them up our sleeve for the Group One. His work has been super, and he is a colt that is hard to fault at home, he just keeps raising the bar.” Stablemate La Dorada shares a similarly impressive record, winning three of her four starts, including the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), with her only defeat coming when runner-up to Too Sweet in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m). “It is hard to knock her as well, she is not very big but she is just so tough,” Bergerson said. “She is really thriving on racing and is another one we have asked a lot of and she has never missed a beat. She has come through the Matamata fillies race in really good order.” The stable will also be represented in the juvenile feature by Matamata Slipper runner-up He Who Dares, and Group Two performer Marokopa Falls. “He Who Dares is a real up-and-comer who is out of a good race mare (Rondinella),” Bergerson said. “I thought he was really good at pushing Return To Conquer at Matamata. He has trialled well right-handed, so we are hoping he gets around Ellerslie okay. He is a horse that is not out of it. “Marokopa Falls probably needs to step up a bit from that last start effort (fourth in Matamata Breeders’). She won so well on debut and then we are scratching our heads a bit about her last couple of runs. We have adjusted a bit of gear, the blinkers go on and we have taken the nose band and tongue-tie off. Her work has been good, and she is a filly we think will be a nice three-year-old. “All four have drawn well, so we are fortunate in that regard.” The NZB Kiwi has top-billing on Saturday’s card, and Te Akau Racing will be represented in their slot by last start Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) victor Damask Rose. She will once again be partnered by leading Australian hoop Blake Shinn, who rode her to her Karaka Millions victory, 12 months after guiding her to a runner-up result in the Karaka Millions 2YO. She won a star-studded 1100m trial at Taupo last month to ready for Saturday’s assignment and is rated New Zealand’s leading chance with the TAB at $8, behind Australian raiders Evaporate ($2.40), Public Attention ($6), and Perfumist ($7.50). “We think she is coming into the race 110 percent,” Bergerson said. “We have been really happy with her since the Karaka Millions, she had a bit of a freshen-up and the quiet trial at Taupo, which we were really pleased with. Gryllsy (Craig Grylls) rode her that day and certainly couldn’t knock her, and she has come through it really well. “Her work was good here (Matamata) on Tuesday for Opie (Bosson) and she is just flying in the stable. She probably needs to go up another level again from the Karka Millions, but we think she can. “Barrier eight, we are happy enough, but we would have loved to have drawn a little bit closer. We are confident she can give it a real shake, it is shaping up very interesting with the Aussies in it, it should be a good race.” Earlier on the card, Campionessa will be looking to add to her elite-level haul in HKJC World Pool New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “We were disappointed with Campionessa’s run at Wellington (sixth in Gr.3 Trentham Stakes, 2100m) so we gave her a freshen-up,” Bergerson said. “A freshen-up and a change around here at home we are hoping can spark her back into a bit of form. She is going to have to lift off her previous efforts to beat the likes of Legarto. “She seems bright and well here at home, and on her day she is a Group One-winning mare, so she is more than capable.” Te Akau will have a two-pronged attack in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) courtesy of Midnight Blue and perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha, who has finished runner-up in her last four outings, including the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA (1600m). “There isn’t much of Qali Al Farrasha, but she is all heart,” Bergerson said. “She has done a fantastic job this season without winning that Group One. She seems in good form, she has come through Ellerslie well, I thought she was really game behind El Vencedor, who is absolutely flying. “She has drawn well (1), should get a good trip in behind the speed and she will run well, it’s just whether she can turn the tables on the two favoured runners. “We have freshened Midnight Blue up from the 2400m (Gr.3 Avondale Cup). He has had a quiet time of it between runs. He was unlucky in the Avondale Cup. Speaking to Ryan (Elliot, jockey) post-race, he thought if he had an unchecked run he would have gone close to winning it. We think he is capable of a cheeky race.” Te Akau’s Ellerslie Group One offering will be rounded out by Hakkinen in the $1.25 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m). “Hakkinen was very good (when fourth) in the Avondale Guineas (Gr.2, 2100m) and Rory (Hutchings, jockey) gave him a lovely run on speed,” Bergerson said. “We have drawn well again (2), so we will hopefully be able to put him up there in behind the speed in the race, which we think will suit. “He has gone the right way since the Avondale Guineas, he is lightly raced and he will take great benefit from his last run. There are a few talented ones that he needs to turn the table on, but we think he is going the right way and is a nice each way chance.” I’m A Dirty Rascal will be the stable’s sole contender in the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m), and Bergerson believes he will appreciate the two miles. “We weren’t overly disappointed with his run at Ellerslie five or six weeks ago. He got back off a slow tempo, they sprinted and he is very one-paced,” Bergerson said. “We think he is going to love the 3200m. We have given him a European style prep. We thought his trial at Taupo was good over a distance (1100m) well short of his best. He has a nice, light weight (53kg) with Gryllsy (Craig Grylls) aboard and we think he is a nice live chance.” Meanwhile, across the Tasman, Captured By Love will carry Te Akau’s tangerine and blue silks in the Gr.2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday. She finished fourth in her Australian debut in the Listed Desirable Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last month and her connections are hoping for an improved performance this weekend. “It is pretty easy to knock her run last time,” Bergerson said. “We thought the rain on the day just cost her. She loomed up like she was going to really be in it, but when Blake (Shinn) went for her she floundered in the ground a little bit. “I know they (Cranbourne stable) are really happy with her and her work has been very good leading into it. Back up to the mile really suits her. Hopefully she can bring back that (New Zealand) 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) form, and if she does, we are confident she can be in it.” View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Stephen Marsh has given the high flying El Vencedor the nod as his best chance of landing a winning blow at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Cambridge trainer is well-represented in the Champions’ Day features but finds it hard to go past the in-form son of Shocking in his bid to add the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) to his record. El Vencedor is chasing his third top-flight title on the bounce following successes in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m). “I think he’s our best the way he’s been going, he loves Ellerslie and back to 2000m, I can’t see any negatives,” Marsh said. “He’s got barrier four as well and that’s probably the perfect gate.” El Vencedor, who will head to Hong Kong next month to contest the Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin, is set to have a big payday on Saturday no matter the outcome, with the gelding having an unassailable lead in the Rich Hill Champion Middle Distance Series going into the final race of the series this weekend. The six-year-old currently leads the series on 17 points, and with the winner of the Bonecrusher set to accrue seven points, and his nearest rival on Saturday being eight points adrift, the connections of El Vencedor will take home the $300,000 bonus for winning the series. Race rivals La Crique, Orchestral and Qali Al Farrasha will battle out the minor placings, with the trio having to usurp second-placed Snazzytavi to take home the runner-up bonus of $150,000, with $50,000 going to third place. While pleased with El Vencedor’s draw (4), Marsh can’t say the same for Tale Of The Gypsy and To Cap It All, who will jump from gates nine and eight respectively in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). “It’s just a shame they’ve both drawn wide and Tale Of The Gypsy hasn’t been able to get a good gate all her life,” Marsh said. The Written By filly has won once from three starts, having drawn the outside barrier on each occasion, while To Cap It All was a debut winner before finishing runner-up in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). “She’s going well and they are both deserving of a crack at a Group One,” Marsh said. The stable will chase further elite level honours with Bourbon Proof and Kiwi Skyhawk in the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Provence and Merchant Queen to contest the Gr.1 HKJC World Pool NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Bourbon Proof has finished runner-up in both the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) and the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m). “He doesn’t need to improve much to be in the thick of it, his last two runs have been great,” Marsh said. “I’m really happy with him and he maps well from a good gate (three) and Kiwi Skyhawk wasn’t suited by the slow tempo in the Avondale Guineas. “If it’s a genuinely run Derby, it will bring him right into it.” Provence will look to turn her fortunes around in the Breeders’ Stakes after a luckless run in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1400m) while Merchant Queen was a last-start third in the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m). “Provence is a very good mare and has drawn out a bit at 11. She’s going really well but will need a bit of luck taking on Legarto,” Marsh said. “It’s a throw at the stumps for Merchant Queen, but she does love Ellerslie and will jump and put herself up on the speed and deserves her chance.” Marsh also has two live hopes in the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) with the in-form Penman and Ardalio, winner two starts back of the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) before she was sixth in the Champagne. “Penman’s just a horse that has kept improving all the time and his work has been terrific,” Marsh said. “Ardalio was great last time when they went slowly, she got a long way back and was good to the line. I think she’s the forgotten horse to be honest.” Meanwhile, Marsh is hoping a changed approach leading into the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) will bring out the best in Nest Egg, who hasn’t raced since third in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m). “We’re trying something different with him and didn’t run him in the Avondale Cup (Gr.3, 2400m),” he said. “We’ve had him at the beach, he’s done some schooling and has worked well.” Wide gates will make it tough for Tardelli (15) and She’s Untouchable (12) when they round off the day in the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m) with the former rated the top seed. “Tardelli has been going really well, his run for third in the Uncle Remus (Listed, 1400m) was super. He just needs some luck,” Marsh said. View the full article
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