NZ contenders grounded
Three New Zealand horses looking to figure on the first day of The Championships have been grounded by a faulty aircraft.
ATC Australian Derby hopefuls What’s The Story and Tavago, along with PJ Bell Stakes contender No More Tears, were due to arrive in Sydney on Wednesday before racing at Randwick on Saturday.
Their flight was delayed until Thursday night while they waited for a replacement part for the aeroplane to be flown in from the United States.
What’s The Story’s co-trainer Stephen McKee said the colt’s Derby preparation had not been disrupted too much — yet.
‘‘The only thing that it’s going to hinder is that I wanted to give him a little canter at Randwick on Thursday morning and Friday, just to have a look at the place,’’ McKee said.
What’s The Story had been able to remain in the stable during the delay.
‘‘The good thing is the delays aren’t while we’re sitting at the airport,’’ he said. ‘‘Box to box it’s normally only six to seven hours for my horses travelling to Sydney.
‘‘That’s nothing that we wouldn’t do travelling around New Zealand.’’
What’s The Story was second in a photo finish in the New Zealand Derby at his last start, with Tavago two lengths away in sixth.
‘‘He’s a pretty exciting stayer. He just seems to keep running,’’ McKee said.
This year will be the first time McKee has looked to raid the Sydney autumn carnival since 2012. His biggest wins in Sydney came on Doncaster day at Randwick where he twice won the feature race with champion mare Sunline.
‘‘You sort of know after doing it for a while what sort of horse you need to be competitive in a better race,’’ McKee said."I’m just hoping this one is competitive and I’m sure he will be.’’ What’s The Story is a $15 chance to win the Derby, while Tavago is a $41 hope.
Rosehill Guineas winner Tarzino remains the clear favourite at $2.