Group I trial for Drum Major at Palmerston North
Promising 2-year-old Drum Major will be on trial for a tilt at Group I glory when he lines up in the HR Jones and Co Ltd 2yo (1200m) at Awapuni, Palmerston North, today.
The Team Rogerson-trained colt has placed in both of his starts to date and if he makes a good account of himself this weekend, he could head to Ellerslie next week for the Gr I Sistema Stakes (1200m), or return to Palmerston North next month to tackle the Gr I Courtesy Ford Manawatu¯ Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
‘‘He is a lovely horse but he is not a natural 2-year-old,’’ said Graeme Rogerson, who trains in partnership with wife Debbie.
‘‘I have put blinkers on him to sharpen him up a bit but his form has been very good.
‘‘I gave him a little break after Matamata. He has been working well and he trialled enormous,’’ Rogerson said.
‘‘He ran home really well.
‘‘It is quite a good field. There are a lot of hopes in that race on Saturday.
‘‘If he runs well, we will decide whether we go to the Sistema or the Sires. He may be a champagne (listed, 1600m) horse but we will just play it by ear.’’
Another Rogerson runner in line for a Group I assignment is talented but erratic filly Ezdara. The daughter of Sacred Falls was pulled up last start by jockey Jasmine Fawcett after veering wide ahead of the crossing after leading early.
‘‘She spotted the gap and wanted to run out,’’ Rogerson said.
‘‘Ryan [Elliot, a jockey] has ridden her at track work a couple of times and she has galloped exceptional.’’
Ezdara had been in good form prior to that run, placing in the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth last month, and a start in the Gr I Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand Oaks (2400m) hinges on today’s result.
‘‘If she runs up to form, I think she will be very hard to beat,’’ Rogerson said.