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Full book for Almanzor and Hello Youmzain; Group Two test for Sky Field;

Full book for Almanzor and Hello Youmzain

Cambridge Stud has announced the books for its European shuttle stallions Almanzor and Hello Youmzain are full.

Both horses were offered at a fee of $30,000 + GST and limited to 140 mares.

"Our main focus since the change of ownership at Cambridge Stud has been to identify stallion prospects that appeal to New Zealand breeders and give them a real alternative to sending their mares to Australia," Cambridge Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre said.

"To have two stallions full before the end of March is a great endorsement for them, but it also shows the returning confidence of New Zealand breeders to premium, domestic stallions."

Almanzor and Hello Youmzain will join Embellish, Savabeel's Group One-winning son who will stand for a fee of $4000 + GST, on the stallion roster.

"In Almanzor and Hello Youmzain, we have found two European stallions with great conformation, strong pedigrees and outstanding performance. With Embellish, we have a son of New Zealand's premier stallion with the same attributes," Plumptre said.

"He has been well supported with over 240 mares across his first two seasons and he has passed his own good looks on to his foals.

"We would like to thank our shareholders and supporters for their faith in our operation and we look forward with optimism to the years ahead."

Group Two test for Sky Field

Sky Field will be given the opportunity to build both experience and profile when contesting the Gr.2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Monday.

Trainer Caspar Fownes firmly believes the sparingly-raced son of Deep Field has the capacity to ascend to Group One company by the end of 2021, but realises the gelding needs more experience.

"He's going good, I'm confident he's going to make it into a top horse at the right time, at this stage with another six months under his belt, we'll probably see the best of him," Fownes said.

"He's getting there - he ran well the other day (when third behind Wellington at Sha Tin in mid-March), I feel the rating of the race on Monday is against him this time but he's slowly creeping into that area where he's starting to make his presence felt in bigger races.

"I think he needs a bit more experience at the top end, but he can certainly reel off a very, very quick last quarter which makes him a chance to win a big race in Hong Kong."

Fownes will experiment with a gear change he hopes will ultimately prove crucial.

"He's had quite a few runs but in saying that I'm trying a Norton bit on him in a trackwork gallop and if that works, he'll take that to the races and that might just be the making of him," he said.

"If he respects the bit, that could be the making of the horse."

Sky Field was purchased out of Trelawney Stud's 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 draft for $175,000.