In-form fillies spearhead strong stable line-up

[Wandering Eyes]

Te Akau Racing looks set to be a major player on the all-weather track at Riccarton with a particularly strong hand to play in the age group event on Wednesday’s card.

Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson will be represented by the in-form duo of Queen Of Naples and Porcia Catonis in the Red Rose Raceday – 24 July Three-Year-Old (1400m).

Stablemate Vivacious also looks a strong chance in the Join TAB Racing Club Rating 74 off the back of two wins on the bounce.

Queen Of Naples (NZ) (Darci Brahma) has made an encouraging start to her career and followed up a debut fourth at Wanganui before heading south.

The daughter of Darci Brahma was then runner-up on the synthetic before going one better on the course to romp to her maiden victory in the hands of Bruno Queiroz, who retains the ride.

“We’d probably lean more toward Queen Of Naples if it was a mile, but we’ve kept her nice and fresh to come back to the 1400m,” Bergerson said.

“Porcia Catonis (Super Seth) has a bit more experience and she has run in the Rating 75 grade, which is always really tough for a three-year-old.

“She certainly didn’t disgrace herself and they are very hard to split so it will probably come down to luck in the running.

“It looks quite an even field on paper, but we are really happy with our two.”

To be ridden by Courtney Barnes, Porcia Catonis has a pair of track and distance wins to her credit form her last four appearances before the Super Seth filly stepped up in grade to finish a last-start fourth.

Querioz partnered Vivacious (NZ) (Dundeel) to her most recent victory, her fourth from 15 appearances, and a gear addition has helped the Dundeel mare’s starting manners.

“She has really taken to racing on the synthetic down there,” Bergerson said.

“She was being a bit slowly away at times and ratting home, but as soon as we put the visor blinkers on it seemed to do the trick.”

Another bold performance from Vivacious would likely earn her a crack at a bigger prize.

“Hopefully, she runs well again and then head on to one of the finals, whether it’s at Awapuni over 1400m or Riccarton and the 1200m,” Bergerson said.

“She’s always been a mare we have had a lot of time for and she has finally strengthened up, Hunter (Durrant, assistant trainer) and the team have done a fantastic job with her.”

The stable will also have back-up in the Rating 75 sprint in Sorcha (NZ) (Burgundy) while Rule Of Law (NZ) (Justify) is in the Racecourse Hotel & Motel Lodge (1600m) and Purple Prose (NZ) (Embellish) lines up in the Speights Summit Ultra On Tap Maiden (1600m).

“Sorcha tries really hard, Rule Of Law is always there or thereabouts and Purple Prose has drawn a bit niggly, but is knocking on the door,” Bergerson said.

The other team member in action is Beau Brummell (NZ) (Embellish) in the Cup Week Hospitality On Sale Now Rating 75 (2200m).

He was a resuming winner over a mile on the course but was never a factor from a wide gate last time and an inside barrier will be in his favour this time.

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