Stable set for Te Rapa stakes charge

[Wandering Eyes]

Beauden will tackle the Group 1 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South

Team Rogerson will be represented by a quartet of black-type contenders at Te Rapa on Saturday and among them are two of the stable’s leading staying hopes for the summer.

Beauden and Lowry hold nominations for major distance events at both the Wellington and Auckland carnivals and while programs have yet to be locked in stone, they promise to be competitive in whatever tasks they are set.

The former has been freshened since last racing and will return to competition in the Group 1 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) while the in-form Lowry takes on the Group 3 Skycity Hamilton Cup (2400m).

The Joan Egan-bred and raced Beauden hasn’t raced since he finished seventh in the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m), but was a Taupo trial winner last month.

“I’m happy with him and Ryan (Elliot) had already taken rides at Awapuni and that’s why Trudy (Thornton) is on him and she’s won on him before,” co-trainer Graeme Rogerson said.

“He’s very well and at this stage he will probably go to the Manawatu Cup (Group 3, 2300m) next week. It’s up to Joan what she wants to do, he’s in the Wellington Cup (Group 3, 3200m) and he usually comes right at this time of the year.”

Rogerson bred and races Lowry, who is stepping up in grade after leading all the way to beat his Rating 74 rivals on the course last time out.

“He’s developing nicely and he’s a nice cut of a horse. I think he’s a staying horse of the future and he’s nominated for all the big ones and we’ll see what happens after Saturday,” he said.

“I’ve got five out of the mare (Alezan) and Princess Lowry is having her first start on Friday, a two-year-old ready to trial by Ekraar and a yearling by El Roca, who is a beautiful colt. I’ve got a foal by Ferrando so I’m going to have some fun.”

Lowry’s juvenile stablemate Gibraltar Rising will run in Saturday’s Group 2 Hiddenbed Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and has placed in both starts, most recently the son of Almanzor was second behind Wolverine at Otaki.

“He’s got the makings of a really good horse. He’s just got to do everything right and he’s getting better,” Rogerson said.

“We held him up at Otaki and rider Willy Pinn did what I asked so I can’t go crook at him. The filly got the jump on him and beat him.

“I really like the horse, he’s a beautiful colt and I think Almanzor could be the next Savabeel – time will tell.”

Completing Rogerson’s black-type runners at Te Rapa is the capable More Wonder in the Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m). The Mossman six-year-old has been freshened since last racing and was given a lead-up trial at Matamata at the end of last month.

“He’s a talented horse on his day and he’s probably been a bit unlucky not to have won a big one. He trialled well and I think he will be competitive on Saturday,” Rogerson said.

A stakes-placed winner of five races, More Wonder has performed with credit in top company with fourth placings at Group One level in the Otaki WFA Classic (1600m) and the Levin Classic (1600m) and fifth in both the BCD Group Sprint (1400m), Thorndon Mile (1600m) and the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).

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