Youngsters nipping at heels of the proven
All the yap is about the youngsters in New Zealand’s richest weightfor-age race at Te Rapa today.
The favourite for the $400,000 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) is 3-year-old colt Savile Row ($3.70) while another 3-year-old Jon Snow ($7) is well in the market as fourth favourite.
Splitting the youngsters are tried and true Group I performers Volkstok’n’barrell ($5.50) and Consensus ($4.80).
The market appears to have been influenced by the win of 3-year-old filly Valley Girl in last year’s contest and to a lesser extent by the win of a few years back of another 3-year-old Mission Critical.
Savile Row ($9) and Jon Snow ($12) are prominent in the early NZ Derby (2400m) market and will need to justify that support today.
While connections of both horses are confident in their ability and expect strong runs, the older brigade may stand in their way.
Last start Zabeel Classic (2000m) winner Consensus is in career best form while runner-up in that race was Volkstok’n’barrell, who is ready to remind all and sundry how good he is.
Stephen Mckee trains 5-yearold mare Consensus at Ardmore where she has more than pleased her trainer.
‘‘She’s flying at the moment,’’ Mckee said. ‘‘She’s been ticking over nicely since her win at Pukekohe and back to weight-for-age over 2000 metres is ideal for her.’’
After the Zabeel Classic, Consensus had a freshen-up and returned to carry 59.5kg to win at Pukekohe while Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs-trained Volkstok’n’barrell tackled the Thorndon Mile at Trentham.
He ran a gallant fourth after being slow away and pushed along to stay in touch in the 1600m contest.
He wasn’t able relax at any stage of the race but a clean getaway and an extra 400m will be in his favour at Te Rapa.
‘‘He did a pretty good job at Trentham,’’ Gibbs said. ‘‘And he has improved with that race. His work has been pleasing and we’re happy with his good draw.’’
The 5-year-old gelding will jump from gate three for Vinnie Colgan, who takes the reins from Matthew Cameron who rides Jon Snow.
Two 1200m races have the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained Perfect Fit ready for her task at Te Rapa today.
The Matamata trainers have done some tweaking to ensure the mare is at her best for the step to 1400m in the $200,000 NRM Sprint.
A three-race winning streak last season culminated in Group I glory when the now 5-year-old won the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha ridden by today’s jockey Michael Coleman.
She has been a couple of strides off that form in this campaign due largely to slow beginnings resulting in minor placings in the Listed Counties Bowl, Group I Railway Stakes and Group I Telegraph.
She was away cleanly fresh-up in the Counties Bowl but has been tardily away in her two subsequent races.
‘‘Basically she has been mucking around in the gates,’’ Bev Kelso said. ‘‘At Trentham she went up in the air when they jumped.’’
The barrier blanket goes on this weekend to keep her settled.
‘‘We’re hoping that will help her, we feel she only has to get away to be right in the hunt.
‘‘It is a very good field, don’t get me wrong, but if she can jump with them she should run well.’’
Victory would be a wonderful tonic for Bev who has been battling ill-health. She is on the road to recovery . ‘‘It would certainly get me out of my chair,’’ she said.
Perfect Fit ($5.50), sits on the third line of final field betting behind Kawi ($3.90) and Start Wondering ($5).