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Topliners to miss Hastings Carnival; Staying tests ahead for Italian Lover
Topliners to miss Hastings Carnival
Top gallopers Supera and Princess Kereru are due back in work next month, but already a decision has been made to bypass the first major events for the new season with the pair.
While most open-class performers will be aimed at legs of the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown, beginning with the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on August 31, both Supera and Princess Kereru will be absent.
“They’re not going to Hastings,” co-trainer Ken Kelso said. “They’re better having a bit more time and getting ready for the summer.
“Princess Kereru is really a 1200m horse and she could kick off in the Sweynesse Stakes (Gr.3, 1215m) at Rotorua in October, while a race like the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) at Trentham could be a better first big target for Supera, though nothing will be confirmed until we see how they do when they come back into work.”
Both Group One placegetters went to the spelling paddocks on winning notes, Supera taking the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa and Princess Kereru prevailing in the Listed NZB Finance Sprint (1200m) at Hastings in April.
Also currently out spelling is stablemate Shoshone, who became the first winner for Waikato Stud sire Sacred Falls when winning at Ellerslie last Monday.
“She’ll be back on July 1 and will kick off at the Taupo meeting on August 21 then go for the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) at Hastings,” Kelso said.
Staying tests ahead for Italian Lover
Marton galloper Italian Lover continued her consistent run of form at Te Rapa on Saturday when winning the Become A Waikato Racing Club Member 2200.
It was the fourth win for the daughter of Zed and trainer Fraser Auret has been pleased with her development this season.
“She has really progressed well this season,” he said. “She won her maiden race towards the start of the season and although she has had a couple of mini breaks, to be winning a rating 82 race the same season as you started is a great testament to her attitude.
“She has come a long way, it is very exciting.”
The four-year-old mare has now been sent for a break with Auret believing she has a bright future in the staying ranks.
“I think these deep winter tracks would get the better of her, so with that in-mind she went out to the spelling paddock this morning to have a month’s reprieve,” he said.
“I’d love to try her at two miles at a nice weight. She will have her winter reprieve now and we will assess how she comes up in the spring.”
