Aiming high after black-type success
Three black-type races at Matamata on Saturday produced impressive winners boosting their prospects for tougher assignments.
Following her victory in the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes, Jamie Richards confirmed that Gold Fever would head for a tilt at the $200,000 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in a fortnight.
Matamata-based Richards trains in partnership with Stephen Autridge and the Te Akau team believe the filly deserves a crack at a Group I after her Group II win over 1200m in 1:10.04.
‘‘She’s holding her form really well and she had also worked very well with Summer Monsoon here on Tuesday morning,’’ he said.
‘‘The Savabeel’s are really tough and she’s a filly with attitude and come race day she’s very hard to get past.
‘‘She’ll go to the Group One in a couple of weeks and she’s run well at Ellerslie before.’’
Summer Monsoon ran second in a lightning fast Listed Reid & Harrison Slipper to a tough customer in Summer Passage from the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott stable. The Snitzel colt dashed the 1200m in 1:9.79 and gives connections of the A$800,000 yearling purchase plenty to ponder.
Scott confirmed that the A$3,500,000 Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill on March 18 has been under consideration, along with the A$1 million ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes on April 1.
‘‘There will be a boardroom meeting, but he’s still got to improve to get to those heights,’’ Scott said. Von Tunzelman impressed with his strong win in the Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) for Cambridge trainer Roger James.
James wants to be assured the Zabeel 4-year-old recovers 100 per cent from his efforts before cementing future plans.
‘‘I want to have a talk with the owners first but Australia is one of the possibilities I’m consider- ing. Whether it’s in the short term or the long term will depend.’’
Distances around the 2000m of Saturday’s race run in a quick 2:01.38 with Michael Coleman in the saddle, will be preferred. Leith Innes was booked to ride the Brendan and Jo Lindsay-owned gelding but couldn’t make the 53kg carded weight.