Damask Rose headlines Te Akau’s plans for Australian spring

[Murray Fish]

 

NZB Kiwi heroine Damask Rose and Group 1-winning colt Return To Conquer have both joined Te Akau’s Australian stables at Cranbourne ahead of major spring targets.

Damask Rose is being set for the ultimate aim of the $10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill on November 1. She will resume in the Cockram Stakes at Caulfield on August 30 and then target both the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and the Toorak Handicap before heading to Sydney.  

“She has settled in really well to out Cranbourne barn, we are really happy with her. She hasn’t missed a beat,” co-trainer Mark Walker told NZ Racing Desk.  

“She is still lightly raced and she has got a bright future.”

Return To Conquer has also crossed the Tasman, with his major spring target also set to take place on November 1.

Unbeaten across all four starts in New Zealand to date, including the G1 Sistema Stakes, Return To Conquer is headed towards the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.

“He is jumping out next Monday and he will be aimed towards the Coolmore Stud Stakes and see if he measures up to the sprinting three-year-olds over here,” Walker said. “He’s an exciting prospect.”

Group 1-winning two-year-old filly La Dorada is also set for an Australian spring campaign.

“La Dorada is over next week and she will be aimed towards the Thousand Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) here,” Walker said.

“She is just coming for the spring and then she will head back home for the Karaka Millions 3YO and NZB Kiwi.”