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McBeth after local cup; First NZ winner for Mongolian Khan; Richards arsenal on track for 1000 Guineas;
McBeth after local cup
New Plymouth trainer Gary McBeth is looking forward to lining up his pride and joy Hi I'm Nikkita in the South Taranaki Club Egmont Cup (2100m) at Hawera on Saturday.
The five-year-old mare finished runner-up in the Road To The Jericho (3210m) at her home track last start and McBeth said if she had found clear racing room she may have booked her ticket across the Tasman for the marathon feature.
"The jockey (Hazel Schofer) said they were three strides too late in getting out," McBeth said. "She has come through it well, it hasn't done her any harm at all."
McBeth is heading into this weekend quietly confident, but admitted the firmer track, rated a Dead4 on Friday morning, is a bit of an unknown for his charge.
"She is fit and well, and the only thing that I am concerned about is the track will be quite firm, so we will find out how she goes on a firmer track," he said.
"She is a horse that always tries and I think she will run a good race.
"I am happy with her and she has done everything right, so I am looking forward to a good run from her."
Hi I'm Nikkita has drawn the outside in the 16 horse field and will be ridden by Tony Allan.
She has been opened as a $9 chance on Saturday, behind Beauty Star ($4.80), Gorbachev ($5), William Wallace and Collinstreet (both at $6.50).
First NZ winner for Mongolian Khan
Windsor Park Stud stallion Mongolian Khan recorded his first win in New Zealand as a sire on Friday when Supreme Khan won on debut in the Onceuponatime At Belmont Park 1200 at Phar Lap Raceway.
Supreme Khan was purchased out of Windsor Park Stud's 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Te Akau Principal David Ellis for $160,000 and the three-year-old has been patiently handled by trainer Jamie Richards.
Windsor Park Stud Principal Rodney Schick was delighted with the win, but said there was a fair bit of pressure on him heading into the race.
"He was a beautiful yearling and my brother said to me he wanted to buy a yearling that year and I said to buy into him with Te Akau," Schick said.
"I said if he was no good I will give up, so I was under a bit of pressure today.
"Jamie has done an outstanding job with him and he just ticked him along and did the right thing by him.
"Danielle's (Johnson, jockey) ride was fantastic because he dropped out of the barriers and it wasn't the easiest race. She got him settled and got the prize."
It was Mongolian Khan's third win as a sire and Schick is looking forward to the future with the Group One winner's progeny.
"He is starting to get a few around him now, so onwards and upwards," he said.
Mongolian Khan stands at Windsor Park Stud near Cambridge for a fee of $10,000+gst.
Richards arsenal on track for 1000 Guineas
Matamata trainer Jamie Richards has confirmed Miss Aotearoa ($5.50) and Cornflower Blue ($12) both remain on track for a tilt at the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm 48th New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 14.
The pair make up two of the top four runners in betting in early 1000 Guineas markets, despite Cornflower Blue being beaten into fourth behind Matchmaker in last Saturday's Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m).
"I think Cornflower Blue just found it a bit firm down there (Riccarton)," Richards said.
"A number of runners that pulled up pretty scratchy in their action and I don't think we were the only stable to do that.
"Hopefully we don't run into that sort of firm track again down there through the carnival.
"She seems to be okay now and she'll head to Ashburton for the Barnswood Farm Stakes (Gr.3, 1400m) on Sunday week and back around a corner and with a little bit of moisture in the track she should be a chance."
Impressive last-start Gr.3 Hawke's Bay Breeders' Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) winner Miss Aotearoa will progress to the Guineas via the Gr.3 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa.
"She goes to the Soliloquy on the 24th and she will have an exhibition gallop at Matamata on Saturday," Richards said.
"We've just spaced her runs a little bit and that seems to agree with her. She's a lovely big filly that doesn't carry a lot of extra condition yet, so we're just running her every three or four or five weeks.
"From Te Rapa she'll be going down to the 1000 Guineas, all going well. I think she's going to appreciate the step-up to 1400m and then appreciate the step-up to 1600m again."
