Midnight Blue set to chase NZ feature success

[Wandering Eyes]

Midnight Blue and Daniel Stackhouse winning the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m). Photo: Brett Holburt – Racing Photos

Midnight Blue has proven to be an astute purchase by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, and the eight-year-old gelding is looking to continue to prove his worth in New Zealand.

Ellis purchased the son of So You Think as a tried horse from Inglis Digital in November last year for $92,500, having already won five races, including the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) and Listed Ascot Gold Cup Stakes (1800m).

Since joining trainer Mark Walker’s Cranbourne barn, Midnight Blue has added a further two victories to his record, including the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m) last month, accruing more than $220,000 in prizemoney in that time.

The trans-Tasman operation have now shifted their attention to New Zealand with the gelding, eyeing the lucrative prizemoney and bonuses on offer as part of the revamped The Rich Hill Champion Middle Distance Series.

Walker and his New Zealand co-trainer, Sam Bergerson, have been pleased with the way Midnight Blue has settled into his new environment at their Matamata stable.

“We haven’t had him here in New Zealand that long, but he has come over in fantastic order,” Bergerson said.

“He seems to be enjoying the New Zealand lifestyle. We train him a bit differently over here, he is out in a paddock during the day, which he really loves.

“His work has been good since coming over here, he is a very interesting runner.”

Midnight Blue is set to get his first taste of New Zealand racing when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Group 3 Challenge Stakes (1600m).

“Off that Seymour Cup form you would think he would be pretty competitive,” Bergerson said.

“He is an eight-year-old, but he is bouncy, bright and full of himself here.

“We are hoping he can go a nice race and then there are some nice targets for him over summer if he does step up.”

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