Locals out in force on Breeders’ Stakes day
It’s an accepted fact that Matamata-trained horses are a force to be reckoned with on their big raceday of the year, and they’ll be there in numbers again on 2018 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes day.
After a run of five years when visitors took away the spoils in the Gr. 2 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes, home town pride was restored in 2016 by the Lance O’Sullivan/Andrew Scott-trained Gold Rush and was emphasised when Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards produced that filly’s half-sister Gold Fever for victory in the 2017 renewal.
Wexford and Te Akau Stables intend to be in the action again with runners in the $100,000 Breeders’ Stakes and Saturday’s other two-year-old feature, the Reid & Harrison Slipper, which this year will carry a stake of $70,000 after being upgraded from Listed to Group Three status.
For Wexford Stables, the source of no less than seven Mata- mata Breeders’ Stakes winners, hopes this year will rest with Autumn Wild, while Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will also line up Wisdom Patch in the hope of defending Summer Passage’s title from last year’s Reid & Harrison Slipper title.
Te Akau trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards plan to have two runners in the Slipper – Sword Of Osman and Handsome Rebel – and The Real Beel in the Breeders’ Stakes.
That trio will be out to continue a proud record by Te Akau two-year-olds in both races, comprising six titles in each.
Ballymore Stables will also have a strong hand to build on a record of three Slipper wins and two Breeders’ Stakes, with Bocce (Slipper) and She’s A Thief (Breeders’ Stakes) set to run up to their respective third and fourth placings in the Karaka Million.
And for those looking for a wildcard, don’t discount the Wayne Hillis-trained Imelda Mary to upset the more fancied candidates in the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes.