Stablemates work well ahead of Group One tests; Rogersons negotiate deal on Melbourne Cup hopefuls;Lengthy break for Werther; Price keen on Grunt’s chances
Stablemates work well ahead of Group One tests
Embellish and Melody Belle have pleased in the build-ups toward Group One targets in Melbourne and Sydney respectively this Saturday.
The former has benefitted from his run for sixth in the Gr.3 C.S. Hayes Stakes (1400m) ahead of the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.
“He galloped on the steeple grass this morning and our main man there, Dan Miller, was very happy with him,” Richards said.
Meanwhile in Sydney, Melody Belle is also making all the right moves for the Gr.1 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
“They both need to improve, and hopefully they can,” Richards said. “Melody Belle also galloped well this morning and we’re pleased with her.”
Rogersons negotiate deal on Melbourne Cup hopefuls
Hamilton trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson are sure they have secured a 2018 Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) contender as part of a six-horse package they bought on a trip to Australia this week.
The couple will release details next week of a syndicate they are planning to put together to race the tried horses, whose numbers include a Group One winner of more than $2 million from just 20 starts.
“We think this will be great for New Zealand racing,” Graeme Rogerson said. “We've got a couple of genuine Melbourne Cup hopes. We think this could give New Zealand racing a real lift.”
While Rogerson was reluctant to reveal details this soon, he said two of the six horses would be targeted at the Brisbane winter carnival.
The Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Japan/New Zealand International Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga on March 24 and the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m) on March 31 were targets for other members ahead of a possible tilt at the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 14.
Lengthy break for Werther
Former New Zealand-trained galloper Werther will be side-lined for the mandatory three months after bleeding from both nostrils when finishing runner-up to Time Warp in Sunday’s Gr.1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m).
“It’s a shame because he had already headed Time Warp and Hugh thought, when he really went for him, that Werther would give him at least another half a length,” he told the South China Morning Post.
“We’ll get him back again, but there won’t be races for him at that stage of this season.”
A son of Tavistock, Werther had been on target for next month’s Dubai World Cup meeting where he held entries for the Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) and the Gr.1 Dubai Turf (1800m).
Price keen on Grunt’s chances
Mick Price fancies his Group One chances on Saturday with the New Zealand-bred colt Grunt.
The Caulfield trainer is expecting a bold showing from his progressive son of O’Reilly, who will step up to the elite grade in the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.
Gruntwas an easy winner over a mile at Morphettville and followed up with victory in the Gr.3 C. S. Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington at his most recent start.
“What he did to win in Adelaide shows he'll be hard to beat on Saturday and is right up there for me,” Price told racing.com.
“He's also showed he likes Flemington and he will relish the 1600 metres and is even looking for further.”
