All set for Breeders’ Stakes
run a very meritorious sixth in the big one.
Like any horse-race, however, the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes won’t be decided until the field hits the finish line just before four o’clock on Saturday afternoon.
Recite, from John Bary’s Hastings stable that previously housed champion galloper Jimmy Choux, brings a big reputation with her. She added to the big impression of her December debut win with a commanding performance in the Gr. 2 Little Avondale Wakefield Challenge Stakes at Trentham last month.
Racing in the familiar colours of Cambridge nursery The Oaks Stud, she is one of the growing list of smart young gallopers by former star Matamata-trained colt Darci Brahma.
On the other side of her pedigree she is out of Chant, the champion juvenile filly in the 2005-06 season when her performances included a second placing in the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes.
The winner that day was Naturo, the first of two Matamata Breeders’ Stakes prepared by leading local John Sargent. His hopes for a third will rest with recent smart debut winner Role Model.
Te Awamutu filly A’Larose also left a big impression on debut when she left her rivals standing at Te Rapa last week. As a member of the Robert Priscott stable, she will endeavour to take the Breeders’ Stakes back to Te Awamutu for the first time since the Sanders-trained Lady Dehere in 2002.
One of the other highlights on Saturday will be the Marks Ewen & Associates Kaimai Stakes.
The Lance Noble-trained Wellington Cup runner-up Annie Higgins will have her final leadup to the Auckland Cup in the 2000-metre event, while her opposition is likely to include another local in Capone, backing up from his win in the Gr. 3 Hooker Pacific Taranaki Cup last Saturday.
Capone’s win added to a landmark season for Danica Guy, who races the six-year-old in partnership with her mother Gayle.
They bought him for $16,000 as a two-year-old from the 2008 South Island Sale with the intention of turning a quick profit. That never happened, but with seven wins and stake-earnings some 10 times his purchase price there are no regrets back at Upstage Bloodstock.
‘‘He’s just lovely, a real favourite around home,’’ said his trainer with undisguised affection.
Saturday’s win was the eighth in the Taranaki Cup by that ageless jockey Noel Harris, who was a late call-up.