Rogerson hoping to see stakes victory from afar

[Wandering Eyes]

Trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson are currently enjoying time in Hong Kong but will be keeping a close eye on racing at Te Rapa on Saturday where they are hopeful exciting juvenile Domain Ace can triumph in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m).

The son of Swiss Ace has been faultless in his two raceday outings to date and his trainers are hoping he can extend his winning streak to three this weekend, with TAB bookmakers favouring that outcome, with the youngster heading the market at $3.10 ahead of the Stephen Marsh-trained Super Photon at $3.60.

“What he has done so far as been done on raw ability, I think he is something really special,” Graeme Rogerson said from Hong Kong.

“He has drawn a bad alley (11), but he is a very good horse. It is up to Craig (Grylls), he is riding him, he can ride his own race.

“Bailey (Rogerson, granddaughter) and Michelle (Northcott, daughter-in-law) are in charge of him, and I told Bailey to see if she can improve him within a few days.”

If Domain Ace races up to expectations, he will be targeted towards the Listed Staphanos At Novara Park Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe later this month.

“He is in the Champagne Stakes, but the owners have had a few offers for him. We will sit down next week when I am back from Hong Kong and we will see,” Rogerson said.

Team Rogerson will also line-up All The Rage in the Forsyth Barr Mile (1600m) and Mr Universe in the Prezzy Card Sprint (1400m).

“All The Rage is just getting ready, he is a staying horse,” Rogerson said. “This will probably be Mr Universe’s last prep, but if he runs a race, I will be happy.”

Meanwhile, Rogerson had hopes of being in Hong Kong with his multiple Group One winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart this season, but those plans were curtailed with a viral infection last spring. But the Hamilton trainer hasn’t given up hope of getting his stable star to the leading racing jurisdiction later this year.

“He looks enormous,” Rogerson said. “He will back in work at the end of May and we will decide what we are going to do in the spring with him. If his form comes back, we will definitely be going to Hong Kong in December.”

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