Qali Al Farrasha aims to break through for a well-deserved victory

[Wandering Eyes]

Group One performer Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor) will be out to shed her bridesmaid tag when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday, but she will face a stiff task against a quality line-up in the Gr.1 Sport Nation Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m). 

The homebred daughter of Almanzor has been a model of consistency for Te Akau Racing, winning two and placing in eight of her 12 starts, earning more than $260,000 in prizemoney to date. 

She has finished runner-up in her last three outings, including the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m), and also boasts placings in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m). 

She will be searching for an elusive stakes success this week, but will be met by some fierce competition, with five Group One winners set to tackle the Ellerslie feature, including course specialist and in-form gelding El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking). 

“We earmarked this race because we thought we would skip the big guns but unfortunately there is Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) and El Vencedor, it is a quality field,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains the mare in partnership with Mark Walker. 

“She is probably going to have to lift to win it off her previous runs, but she deserves the opportunity. 

“She was really good in the Group One and just missed last time against Provence (NZ) (Savabeel) down in Wellington. She has freshened well, had a really nice exhibition gallop between races at Te Aroha a week ago and her work was good on Tuesday morning.” 

Stablemate, and former Australian galloper, Midnight Blue has acclimatised well to the New Zealand way of life, which was evident in his last two runner-up performances, including the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) at New Plymouth earlier this month. 

He will look to go one better on Saturday in the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup (2400m), and the son of So You Think is already well-acquainted with Ellerslie, having finished fourth in the Gr.3 Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) at the Auckland track in his New Zealand debut last November.  

“He is going well and seems to be really enjoying the New Zealand lifestyle,” Bergerson said. “He is doing really well over here and looks super.  

“He has gone on from the Taranaki Cup and is back up to 2400m, a distance he won the Perth Cup (Gr.2, 2400m) a couple of years ago, so he is proven at the trip. 

“He has to lug a bit of weight (58kg), which is the concern, but we are really pleased with him and he goes in in good form.” 

Stablemate Hakkinen (NZ) (Savabeel) will be looking to stamp his $1.25 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) credentials when he contests the Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas (2100m). 

Another Te Akau homebred, Bergerson has been pleased with his progression since his fourth placing in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie last month and is hoping he can secure a berth into the Derby with a strong performance this weekend. 

“He is a galloper that has got plenty of upside and we think he is coming in with the right prep, he seems a natural stayer to us,” Bergerson said. 

“He is fit and well here at home. I thought he trialled really well at Ellerslie with the blinkers on, which go on Saturday. We think he is heading in the right direction and hopefully onto the Derby.  

“He would need to run well there on Saturday, but he seems in really good form and his work was good on Tuesday morning.  

“It is a very good field, and the favourite (Willydoit) (NZ) (Tarzino) looks very hard to beat and all things being equal, he is probably going to be the winner, but we can think our fella can give it a real shake.” 

Across the Tasman, Te Akau will also be shooting for stakes success at Caulfield on Saturday. 

Group One winner Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) will be looking to return to form in the Gr.3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m), while Group Three performer Sans Doute will get her first crack at elite-level in the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m).

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