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Cox Plate on the cards for Brandenburg; Otaki meeting to continue under COVID-19 measures; Fourth winner for Belardo

Cox Plate on the cards for Brandenburg

A tilt at the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) could be on the cards for Brandenburg  in the spring.

Trainer John Sargent is keen to head to Melbourne with the son of Burgundy to race in front of his ownership group, and he has put a big circle around the time-honoured race to be held at Moonee Valley in October.

Brandenburg is currently spelling in Queensland after his campaign in the Sunshine State, which resulted in a third placing in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) and fourth placing in the Gr.2 Q22 (2200m).

"He has just done over a week (spelling and he will do three weeks, then he will come back (to Sydney) to get ready for the spring. It is a tight turnaround," Sargent told RacingHQ.

"He will run in the early Group races over 1400m to a mile. He is owned down in Melbourne and the owners haven't seen him race there, so he will probably head down there. If he is up to it, he might be aimed for a Cox Plate.

"We know he can get the trip now, so that is probably what we are looking at long-term."

While pleased with his run in the Q22, Sargent believes he could have finished a lot closer to winner Zaaki had they drawn a better gate.

"The draw probably cost him, he could have maybe run second," he said. "He had to be used early, but it was a good ride by Rachel (King, jockey).

"It was a good run on a firm track, he likes a bit of jar out of it.

"I think you will see a nice, strong horse come the spring. He will be at his peak."

Brandenburg was bred by Christopher and Susanna Grace and is a half-brother to Sargent's former multiple Group winner Luvaluva. He races for a similar ownership group sporting the silks of Darren Thomas' Seymour Bloodstock.

Otaki meeting to continue under COVID-19 measures

The Government has announced that Wellington and neighbouring regions of Wairarapa and Kapiti (including Otaki) have been placed into Alert Level 2 from 6pm Wednesday June 23 until 11.59pm Sunday 27th June. 

As a consequence, the Otaki race meeting on Friday 25 June will race under "NZTR Directive COVID-19 Alert Levels 1 and 2".

A race meeting held under Alert Level 2 may not host groups of more that 100 attendees, unless a safe operating plan to separate individual groups of up to 100 can be developed, approved by NZTR and then appropriately controlled. 

In discussion with Otaki-Maori RC, and acknowledging the short lead in time to allow for preparations, it has been decided that this meeting will be conducted as a 'closed-door' meeting, meaning that that the owners of horses entered, members, the public, and sponsors will be unable to attend.

NZTR and the club apologise and acknowledge that this may be a disappointment to those affected, but with insufficient time allowed to safely plan for a group (or groups) limited up to 100 persons, it was jointly determined that this restriction is justified. Under current Alert Levels (variously Level 2 and Level 1) there are no restrictions on travel for officials, jockeys or other participants. 

However, any such person working or participating at the race meeting must not attend if they experience cold or flu-like symptoms.

Announcements regarding other race or trial meetings may be made in coming days, in response to government updates and health orders.

Fourth winner for Belardo

Two-year-old gelding Tympanist provided first season shuttle sire Belardo

with his fourth southern hemisphere winner when successful in a 1400m maiden at Hawkesbury on Tuesday.

The David Payne-trained youngster improved from his three previous unplaced efforts to score by one and a quarter lengths over Vyner and favourite Armour Force.

Belardo's first southern hemisphere crop include Listed winner Avonallo, who also placed in the Karaka Million (1200m), in addition to Group Two performer Fonsalette.

A son of Lope de Vega, Belardo is the the sire of four northern hemisphere stakes winners, headed by Group Two winner Isabella Giles. He will return to Haunui Farm this spring where he will stand for $10,000+GST.