Kiwis set to shine
Five Kiwis are set to feature around the racing world this weekend. MAT KERMEEN reports
One: Tavago Group I BMW Saturday 5.30pm Trackside 1
Tavago will look to back up last week’s Sky High Stakes victory in the $1.6 million BMW (2400m) at Rosehill. A $4.80 chance behind Jameka ($3.80) and fellow Kiwi bred and Australian Cup winner Humidor ($4.20), if he handles the seven day back up, Tavago is a serious winning chance.
Trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have no concerns about the heavy going and are happy with the work of last year’s ATC Derby winner.
Two: La Bella Diosa Group I Vinery Stud Stakes Saturday 6.10pm Trackside 1
La Bella Diosa gets her chance to bounce back from what was easily the worst run of her career when she finished last in the Coolmore Classic (March 11). The Mandy and Matt Brown-trained filly has drawn wide in Saturday’s $538,000 Group I Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill but that may not matter as she likes to get back. The Riccarton 1000 Guineas winner was successful in her Australian debut in the Group II Surround Stakes on heavy going before the Coolmore disappointment. An allergic reaction and puggy track were blamed and if she can find her best form back on a heavy track she is a winning chance at $4.80.
Three: Jon Snow Group II Tulloch Stakes Saturday 4.50pm Trackside 1
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Jon Snow will warm up for another clash with Gingernuts in the ATC Derby when he contests the Group II Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.
Twice Group I placed in New Zealand, including a third placing behind Gingernuts and Rising Red in the New Zealand Derby, Jon Snow is a $3 favourite for the $215,000 race but is far from good thing dropping back to 2000m. The Busuttin-Young trained Rising Red has been scratched and is an unlikely starter in the ATC Derby.
Four: Maria Ritchie Group I Dubai World Cup. Sunday 5.45am Trackside 2
Race favourite Arrogate and his star trainer Bob Baffert will take all the headlines but a former Southlander will also be represented in what is one of the richest races in the world.
Maria Ritchie, a former jockey who was based in Southland during the 1980s-90s, will become just the second female trainer to start a runner in the race alongside Gai Waterhouse. Ritchie will line up Special Fighter in the race worth $14 million. She was only granted her trainers licence in Dubai last month.
She was the assistant trainer to Musabah Al Muhair Al Muhairi but was placed in charge of the Oasis Stables when Al Muhairi was banned for 12 months for administering cobalt. Special Fighter is a $35-1 shot in the race.
Five: Lady Chatto Group I Bathurst Gold Tiara Final. Saturday 10.20pm Trackside 2
Lady Chatto will provide Canterbury trainer Tim Butt with a realistic shot at another Australian Group I on Saturday night. Unbeaten in two starts, Lady Chatto is a $3 second favourite behind My Sweetchilliphilly ($1.50) in the $112,000 Bathurst Gold Tiara Final. Both two-year-old fillies easily won their heats but Lady Chatto will start from barrier five with My Sweetchilliphilly having to contend with a tricky second row draw which may be enough to get Lady Chatto home first. Lady Chatto won the Group III Leonard Memorial Stakes at Addington on March 5.