Stonybreck leading tangerine charge in TAB Mile

[Wandering Eyes]

A big mishap last start hasn’t halted Stonybreck’s (Tavistock) preparation for the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) and he’ll lead the three-pronged attack for Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson in Wednesday’s $250,000 feature at Riccarton.

A six-time winner on synthetic tracks, Stonybreck has brought that form onto the turf this campaign in the South Island, headlined by a dominant five-length romp at the Christchurch venue in late September.

The focus was firmly set on the TAB Mile and he lined-up against many key rivals over 1400m last month only to knuckle badly as the gates opened and dislodge top hoop Opie Bosson in the process.

Despite the missed run, Te Akau’s South Island-based assistant trainer Hunter Durrant couldn’t be happier with the gelding and has him on top ahead of stablemates Perfect Scenario (NZ) (Iffraaj) and Cognito (So You Think) in the race.

“He’s come through it really well, he hasn’t shown any sign of that affecting him and he’s probably had more life in him since, his work has been the best I’ve ever seen it,” Durrant said. “His work on Saturday was great, he’s bouncing around like a two-year-old so I’m expecting a bold run.

“He’s probably my pick of the three.”

Durrant isn’t discounting the chances of the latter pair, with Perfect Scenario returning for his second shot at the feature after finishing a close third under the topweight last year. He will contend with a 60kg impost again this time, albeit with a far better spread across the handicap than 12 months ago.

“He’s been pretty unlucky this prep, he’s had a few runs where things didn’t go his way and last start he just got back and it’s hard to make up ground when you’ve got 60kg-plus,” Durrant said.

“He hasn’t had a big gut buster so I’m expecting a bold run as always, he’s always thereabouts and his work this morning (Monday) was good. He came jogging off the track and we couldn’t have him in better order, he’s just an old marvel.”

Cognito has been a two-time winner this campaign and defeated all but an impressive Sir Albert (NZ) (Savabeel) last start in the Listed Sothy’s Spring Classic (2000m).

“He was really good on face value there, he probably just peaked on the run a bit at the finish so stepping back to a mile is the key,” Durrant said.

“I’ve kept him fresh and he drops in weight again, so he’s another that I’m expecting a bold run from.”

Te Akau has made the juvenile event on the middle day their own in recent years and will aim for a fourth-straight win with Zaharias (NZ) (Super Seth), who finished second on debut to Silhouette (NZ) (Armory) at Trentham.

Durrant said the Super Seth filly has shown maturity beyond her years since arriving in his care and is expecting a good showing in the Elmwood Tavern Two-Year-Old Premier (1000m).

“She’s like an older horse, she’s got a great mentality and the North Island team have done a great job preparing her, she’s come down in great order,” he said. “You wouldn’t think she’s a two-year-old, I think she has a bright future based on that mentality.

“I rode her myself on Saturday with the blinkers on and they’ve really improved her so I’m expecting a bold effort.”

Last-start winner One True King (King’s Legacy) rounds out their representatives at the meeting, favouring the Majestic Horse Floats Premier (1600m) at MAAT grade over Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).

“Up to the mile I think is the key for him, he’s a big type with a big stride and I think he’ll see out the mile really well,” Durrant said. “He’s getting better and better with racing, he’s lightly tried but he’s taking it all in his stride.”

That leaves stablemates He Who Dares (NZ) (Snitzel) and War Of Silence (Snitzel) for the Guineas, the former coming off a fourth placing in the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) while the latter was luckless into third in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m).

“He Who Dares flies down on Wednesday, my understanding is that he’s going really well,” Durrant said.

“I think War Of Silence is quietly going under the radar, his run was really good in the War Decree and Opie believed that if he wasn’t caught wide, he wins.

“He’s improved since, his coat looks great and his work was outstanding. He hasn’t always been the greatest trackworker, it’s taken him a bit to work things out, but he knows his job now.”

Durrant confirmed that both Court Of Appeal (NZ) (Eminent) and I’m A Dirty Rascal (Galileo) are on track for the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) at that meeting, having taken different paths to the race.

I’m A Dirty Rascal lies a $6 equal second-favourite after winning the Road To The Jericho (3000m) last start, while Court Of Appeal has bounced out of a tough run for sixth in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) on the first day of the carnival.

“She (Court Of Appeal) was just caught wide but has come through it really well,” Durrant said. “She had a buck and a squeal coming off the track this morning which is always a positive sign.

“We’ll press on to the Cup, you wouldn’t think she’d had a run as of Monday afternoon.

“I’m A Dirty Rascal was super last start, it was a very long time between wins for him there but he’s trained on really well. He had a gallop on the course proper last week and has been out to the beach, just doing a few different things to spark him up.

“I couldn’t be happier with him.”

Meanwhile, Riccarton has seen the last of Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) this spring after her dominant win in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) on Saturday.

“It was a real full circle moment, getting her Group One here last year then going to Australia, and now coming back where she was pretty dominant after doing it the hard way,” Durrant said. “She was just too good for them, she’s such a good left-handed horse and loves this track. “She flies home (to Matamata) this afternoon and will have a nice freshen-up.”

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