Cellarman can take step clear of basement
The first five overs of what could be a innings win for New Zealand against Australia this spring happens in Melbourne this afternoon.
Technically, Tavago is trained in Melbourne, but trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young moved across from Cambridge only three weeks ago, so we'll claim at least the first few starts from the new home of the Australian Derby winner.
Provocative and Sofia Rosa will go close today. Provocative takes on the 1700m A$ 120,000 Heatherlie Handicap and Sofia Rosa goes around against some guns in the A$ 500,000 NZ Bloodstock Memsie Stakes.
Tony Pike has no concerns about Provocative tackling 1700m at her first start since winning the Queensland Oaks.
“She had only three weeks out after the Oaks and didn't lose any real fitness. She's a clean- winded horse and I have no concerns.”
More of a worry for Pike is the first experience of the turning Caulfield track and the wide ( 12) barrier draw.
“She's going to have to go back from that gate and she will need at least some luck.”
The Caulfield home turn does not have the camber of the other Melbourne courses and i s difficult to sprint around. Compounding that is a short run to the winning post. But Damien Oliver's monumental Melbourne experience is going to be a large assist.
“I'm very happy with her progress here in Melbourne. This is only the first run of her campaign and as long as she's hitting the line hard I will be happy,” says Pike.
Sofia Rosa i s likely to find the 1400m of the Memsie Stakes more suitable than Tavago, but stayers can run a big 1400m when fresh.
“Probably her coat still has a fraction of turning to do, but she's very well and I'm more than happy,” said trainer Stephen Marsh.
Sofia Rosa is such a warrior of a horse — she might have a crappy personality, but that's what the opposition has to deal with on raceday. Don't forget Sunline won a dozen million dollars with the same demeanour.
Melbourne- based Michael Walker has the Sofia Rosa mount and should suit the mare.
However, this will be no easy task. The hot favourite is the Darren Weirtrained Black Hart Bart, winner of the Goodwood at Morphettville t wo starts back, then just topped off in Queensland's premier race, the Stradbroke.
Sofia Rosa was late yesterday at what looked a lucrative $ 14, appearing to be a sound each- way prospect.
A couple of former New Zea- Cellarman’s ambitious tilt at the Run To The Rose will give trainer Chris Waller a guide on where the colt sits in the stable’s 3- year- old pecking order.
Cellarman and Nikitas represent the trainer in today’s group two race over 1200m at Rosehill.
Waller says the race will give him a guide whether they are genuine group one contenders.
“We’re being a little bit ambitious in starting Cellarman in Saturday’s race but he’s a worthy contender of being in the Golden Rose if he could run in the first three,” Waller said yesterday.
“Saturday will tell me a lot from there we can go right to the top or if we’ll veer off to the left and target lesser races.”
He said the 3- year- old was improving, but form around horses stepping up from two to three varied.
“Some improve, some stay the same and some go backwards,” Waller said.
“We’ve got to make sure that he’s one of the ones that goes forward.”
Waller was impressed by Cellarman’s most recent barrier trial but is wary of reading too much into it ahead of today.
“Everything trialled well in that race, even Sir John Hawkwood, who is a stayer,” he said.
Nikitas will be having his first start for Waller after being transferred from Queensland trainer Kelso Wood.
The horse ran second behind a dominant Capitalist in the Magic Millions Classic before being placed in the BRC Sires’ Produce at Doomben in May. landers go around on the programme. Rising Romance i s in the Memsie and The Justice League, formerly with Nigel Tiley and now with Darren Weir, has a Benchmark 78 race. Jordan Childs' 1.5kg claim will reduce his weight to 60.5kg.
“He showed a glimpse of his ability in the winter and hopefully now he’s turned three he’s matured a bit and is ready to carry on from that Magic Millions form,” Waller said.
As the pressure momentarily subsides for Waller and his stable star Winx, the trainer is looking forward to a more relaxed raceday build- up.
The expectation surrounding Winx’s return to the track meant her Warwick Stakes win prompted relief over jubilation for Waller.
“You still enjoy last week’s win and the positive spin- offs from that,” he said. “But it’s a bit of a relaxing week before we build again next week.”
Winx’s next assignment will come in the Chelmsford Stakes on September 3.
Waller says the champion mare is spot- on after her dominant first- up display.
“She’ll have a couple of quiet gallops before the next target which is the Chelmsford on the way to the George Main.”
The George Main Stakes on September 17 will be Sydneysiders’ final opportunity to see her race this preparation before she heads to Melbourne in search of a second Cox Plate.
“She had a good, hard gallop last Saturday,” Waller said.
“At least I know where she’s at which makes my job a lot easier.”
The Cox Plate remains the central focus of her spring, but post- race recovery will determine if Winx continues to the Mackinnon Stakes on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington.
Stolen Dance – Hastings ( R7). ( Summer Dale - unplaced). The Racing Integrity Unit are pushing for earlier notification of horses that have undergone surgery. General manager Mike Godber delivered that message in the wake of confirmation that today’s Makfi Challenge Stakes favourite Kawi has had a wind operation since he last raced. “At the moment, we don’t have to be advised until up to an hour before a race,” he said. “It’s a grey area and we have a rule going to New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing to tighten it up so we are advised as soon as is practical.” Kawi underwent surgery for a wind issue following his fifth placing in the Haunui Farm Classic at Otaki in February. The son of Savabeel, who won a trial at Foxton last month, currently heads the Makfi market at $ 4.20 ahead of joint $ 5.50 second favourites Stolen Dance and Valley Girl. Sacred Elixir has passed his latest test in Australia with flying colours. Cambridge trainer Tony Pike was delighted with the 3- year- old’s effort in the hands of Damien Oliver in an 800m jump- out at Flemington on Thursday. “I wasn’t there, but I just watched the replay and I’ve obviously spoken to Damien and I’m pretty happy,” he said. Last season’s J. J. Atkins winner finished fifth, about three lengths off the winner in his heat. “He had a good blow after it and he will have another jump- out in a fortnight’s time and then kick off in the Guineas Prelude [ at Caulfield],” Pike said. Trainer Bruce Marsh is taking a cautious approach to the return to racing of the New Zealand- bred 2014 Singapore Horse of the Year War Affair. The expatriate Kiwi horseman was satisfied with the gelding’s second placing in a trial this week, but he has yet to lock in a racing programme for the son of O’Reilly. “Everything is up in the air,” Marsh said. “We don’t want to make any plans in concrete until we progress from this trial. We would ideally like to run him in the Jumbo Jet Trophy next Sunday week, but nothing is 100 per cent sure at this stage.” Patience was rewarded at Otaki on Thursday when Sensible Princess broke her maiden. The 4- year- old daughter of Street Sense was successful at her second appearance after a debut third at Waverley earlier this month. “Both physically and mentally she’s been quite backward,” trainer Fraser Auret said. “She’s travelled up north a few times when we’ve gone up there with other horses to help with her development and we expect her to now go on with it. She was very impressive in a jump- out as a younger horse on better ground so we can carry on with confidence.” Oh Romeo, who traces back to Eight Carat on the dam side, might be headed for foreign shores after an impressive win at Ashburton yesterday. The Nick Wigley- trained 4- year- old won by 8 ½ lengths on debut at the same venue last month, and handled the step up to Rating 65 grade with ease, posting a 9 ½ - length success in the hands of Terry Moseley. “He’s the best horse I’ve ridden since I was a boy when I rode Courier Bay,” said Moseley. The gelding is raced by the Wigley family's Inglewood Stud and might continue his career overseas, with the impressive victory sure to see the son of Foreplay meet the Hong Kong rating 70 requirement to be sold to that jurisdiction. “There were a few nerves before the race today because we knew he was capable of doing that and it is a relief to see him do it,” Gus Wigley said. “He’s an exceptional horse.” Jockey Larry Cassidy continues his comeback from injury with a return to metropolitan racing at Doomben. The former Kiwi was sidelined for more than a year with career- threatening knee problems which needed surgery. He made a low- key return at the Gold Coast on August 13 when third on the Les Kelly- trained Forbidden Kisses and has had five rides since without a winner. Cassidy heads to Doomben today to ride the Kelly- trained Mahican and Boundary for Brian Smith. Cassidy’s last winner came in the Sunshine Coast Guineas in May last year when he steered Winx to the first of a series of wins which now stands at 10.