Matt Cameron has plenty to think about
Hall Of Fame has done everything he possibly can to make up Matt Cameron’s mind.
The son of Savabeel has delivered two impressive victories ahead of next month’s Group I Sothys 2000 Guineas and now the stable jockey will have to decide whether he stays with the colt for the classic or if he rides Heroic Valour.
‘‘That’s what he gets paid the big bucks for,’’ said Jamie Richards, who trains the pair of three-yearolds with Stephen Autridge.
Heroic Valour is currently rated a $6 Guineas chance and a quote he now shares with his barn mate after Hall Of Fame’s latest runaway victory in Saturday’s Listed Zacinto Stakes at Riccarton.
He had also won the Inglewood Stud Guineas Trial at his previous outing when ridden by pinch-hitter Michael McNab.
Hall Of Fame was only opposed by four runners on Saturday and he travelled easily in front before Cameron asked him to find another gear on straightening.
‘‘He had a nice run in transit to be fair, but we couldn’t ask for any more,’’ Richards said.
‘‘I’m not sure about what he beat [the quality of the opposition] but the way he did it shows he’s definitely on the right track.’’
Hall Of Fame was out on his own 300 metres from home and he won easing down by five lengths from Stephenstihls with the maiden Cobblertothestars third in front of Leading Role and Ave Maria.
‘‘He likes clear air so we planned to take the lead and take any bad luck out of the equation,’’ Richards said.
In the other Listed feature, North Island visitor Nymph Monte booked his start in the Group III New Zealand Cup with a smart four length victory in the Spring Classic (2000m).
Opaki trainer Grant Nicholson told the Riccarton crowd that Nymph Monte would be a late nomination for the New Zealand Cup.
The five-year-old son of Tavistock has closed into $10 in the futures market on the back of Saturday’s win.
Meanwhile, former two-time Singapore Horse of the Year Super Easy has made a perfect start to his stallion career.
The New Zealand-bred son of Darci Brahma was represented by his first runner on Saturday and Prom Queen duly got the Hallmark Stud resident on the board.
The Kenny and Lisa Rae-trained filly had won both of her lead-up trials in the hands of Alysha Collett, who also guided her to an easy two length defeat of the favourite Kiwi Ida in the two-year-old over 800m.
‘‘It’s been a while since we had a decent horse and she reminds me so much of Egyptian Raine,’’ Ken Rae said.
‘‘I’m not saying she is as good as her but she has definitely got that same attitude. She’s a lovely filly.’’
Prom Queen is now likely to make one further appearance before she is rested.
‘‘She’ll go to the Welcome Stakes and then have a break,’’ Rae said.