Group I start earned by My Paisann
My Paisann’s authoritative laststart win convinced Nigel Tiley to enter him for Saturday’s Group I $225,000 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes at Awapuni.
The Roc de Cambes gelding unwound a sustained sprint from second last at the 400m to win a maiden two-year-old 1200m at Te Rapa on March 3. The victory followed his debut fourth at Te Aroha on February 17.
Tiley, who trains at Pukekohe, said My Paisann had improved since the win.
‘‘It’s really brought him on.’’ Tiley believes the 1400m of the Sires’ Produce should suit My Paisann. ‘‘I know it’s a big step up in class going from a midweek twoyear-old to a Group I two-year-old, but the way he did it [at Te Rapa], he deserves a chance.’’
Michael Coleman rode him at Te Rapa and will be back in the saddle at Awapuni. Coleman has won the Sires’ Produce twice on The Heckler (2009) and Nightlign (2007).
Cherry Vain, who ran fourth in 2014, is the only runner Tiley has started in the feature in the past 10 years. His Wellington Guineas winner, The Justice League, is heading to Palmerston North for the Group II Manawatu Classic.
His latest start was in the Guineas, of 1400m, and now he will step up to 2000m in the Classic.
‘‘I don’t know if he’ll go 2000,’’ Tiley said. ‘‘I’d prefer a mile but there’s nothing else around that suits and I want to race him at set weights,’’ Tiley said.
The Justice League had no luck in his only start beyond 1400m. He ran ninth in the 1600m 2000 Guineas at Riccarton (November) after being caught wide without cover and over-racing in the middle stages when the pace slowed. Tiley-trained Spoke To Carlo begins a new campaign in the $30,000 open sprint at Ellerslie on Saturday.
A strong performance by Spoke To Carlo might earn him a nomination for the Group I Easter Stakes at Ellerslie on April 23.
Spoke To Carlo, The Justice League and My Paisann are Tiley’s representatives for the weekend.