Smart colt to further his Guineas credentials

[Wandering Eyes]

Promising colt El Vaquero will be out to further his Group One claims when he steps out again in age group company at Ashburton.

The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained son of Ferrando takes aim at Saturday’s Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) off the back of a last-start fifth at Riccarton.

El Vaquero was seven weeks between runs there and the stable were far from disappointed with his performance.

“In a perfect world, he would have started off over 1200m but there were no races to suit so he ran over 1400m and ended up in front,” Michael Pitman said.

“It was just the way it worked out, and we certainly didn’t want to be there, he over-raced and just blew out.”

El Vaquero had won his previous two starts and will be partnered for the first time by Sam Weatherley, who enjoys a strong association with the father and son team.

“The plan was always to come to this race second-up and we’re very happy with the horse,” Pitman said.

El Vaquero is headed toward the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) with two more outings to have him at peak for the November 15 Classic.

The stable will have a host of chances at Ashburton, including Third Decree, who will also be ridden by Weatherley in the GD Jones Handicap (1200m).

She came from last when resuming at Riccarton last month to finish runner-up when opening her preparation and will be opposed in the sprint by in-form stablemate Zoulander with two-kilo claimer Abdul Najib to ride.

“She’s got a bit of weight (60kg) and we thought about claiming, but Abdul’s been going really well on Zoulander who was terrific the other day,” Pitman said.

“Third Decree will go to the Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 1400m) at Riccarton at her next start and will get in on the minimum.

“At this stage, there’s every chance she could then back up and we’re leaning toward the Stewards (Listed, 1200m) rather than the TAB Mile (Gr.3, 1600m).”

Pitman also rates the chances of Ocean Light in the McCrea Painters & Decorators Ashburton Cup (1600m) while stable newcomer Rosso will make his New Zealand debut in the Clem & Russel Brand Memorial (2200m).

“He’s an interesting one and won a race in Ireland and then raced in Melbourne and was fourth at Sandown at his last start,” Pitman said.

“Lloyd Williams raced him in Ireland from Joseph O’Brien’s stable and then Nick Williams and Gerry Ryan took him to Australia and my brother John bought him off an Inglis Digital Sale.”

Another ride for Weatherley, the five-year-old has a win and three placings from nine starts and finished fourth on debut behind one-time Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) favourite Jan Brueghel on debut at The Curragh.

By Camelot, Rosso is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Egyptian Sky and the family of multiple Group One winner and sire Henrythenavigator.

“He didn’t settle in Australia, but he’s a lovely horse and still got plenty of room for improvement,” Pitman said.

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