Wexford stars limber up at Taupo trials

[Wandering Eyes]

Proven stars from Wexford Stables were out in force at Tuesday’s Taupo trials as they limbered up for important assignments on the horizon.

First cab off the rank in the open 1100m heats was Waitak (NZ) (Proisir), already the winner of the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) this season and on target for a Group One hat-trick in the TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham on December 6.

The big Proisir gelding was kept under a tight hold by Craig Grylls throughout his Taupo hit-out and crossed in fourth place with plenty in reserve.

“They were all there for a day out just to bring them on,” said Lance O’Sullivan, who trains in partnership with Andrew Scott. “Waitak has pleased us since we stepped up his training again and he did all that we wanted today.

“Craig said he felt great and that will set him up nicely for the 1600m down at Trentham.”

Waitak shares favouritism for the TAB Classic at $4.50 with La Crique and Legarto, while stablemate Tomodachi (NZ) (Tarzino), equal favourite with Crocetti for the Gr. 1 Telegraph (1200m) on January 4, also underlined her progress with a bold trial.

The free-going mare, who finished third in her sole start of the spring, the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m), was allowed to slide forward by rider Joe Doyle and was untroubled to score by a neck from the lightly-tried Scolera.  

“That’s Tomodachi, she likes to run, and it probably didn’t help that they weren’t going that quick,” O’Sullivan said. “She’ll trial again next month and go into the Telegraph fresh. She’s right where we want her at this stage.”

The same approach is planned for stablemate and defending Telegraph title-holder Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj), who finished a well-held third in her Taupo trial. She is currently third favourite at $8 for the big sprint.

“She’s on target for Trentham and one more trial should set her up nicely,” O’Sullivan said. “She’s going really well and it’s good to see that she’s starting to carry more condition, which is a positive sign.”

The remainder of the Wexford trial contingent also shaped pleasingly. Miss Bo Peep, the winner of three of her seven starts, finished one place ahead of Waitak, setting her up to resume in Rating 75 grade at Te Rapa on December 13.

Checkmate, a close-up fourth of four in his trial, did all that was expected as he also builds towards a raceday return on Waikato Cup day.

“He’s starting to furnish and I’m picking he’ll be a big improver, which is also the case with Monday Melody who had a quiet time of it today,” O’Sullivan said. “He’ll have another trial and then go racing.”

Rounding out the Wexford team, stable newcomer Up The Anti finished one place ahead of Grail Seeker. The three-race winner, previously trained by Holly Wynyard, is likely to have his first start from new quarters next month.

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