Exciting Winner of NZB Ethereal Stakes

A competitive running of the A$120,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield was won by the lightly raced Set Square (Reset) at just her third start on Saturday.

Set Square triumphant in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Ethereal Stakes.

A winner at her second start following a third placing on debut, Set Square was having her first start at a metropolitan track for trainer Ciaron Maher but rose to the task to win by a convincing two-lengths.

Rider Nicholas Hall gave Set Square an economical ride mid-field and saved plenty of ground entering the straight as the pair cut the corner and only had to come around one runner.

Race-favourite Maastricht (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) looked the winner wide on the track before Set Square appeared on the inside and dashed away with the race to win over the Karaka graduate with Imperial Lass (NZ) (Tavistock) finishing third.

“She is a really progressive type of filly but she is still fairly raw,” commented Maher. “There is improvement in the fact that she is very raw, her fitness is very good but every time she has a race or a gallop she improves.

“I think she is a very natural stayer and she is quite exciting, she has been so progressive since she started racing. She has always been quite green on the track and whatever she does you have to ask her to do it but she is a real little racehorse.”

The NZB Ethereal Stakes is a key lead up for the Group 1 VRC Oaks and that is the next target for Set Square once a late nomination has been paid.

“Provided she pulls up alright we will have a crack at the Oaks – I don’t think 2500m will be a problem for her. We will probably nominate her for the Wakeful Stakes but being her first preparation we want to get to the main day still on the up.”

Saturday’s win was Set Square’s second win from three starts and took her earnings to $112,400 for her large group of connections; Mr K W King, Ken King Thoroughbreds, Mr G Raymond, Mr T R Lyndon, Mr C C Cansfield, Mr S D Wallace, Mr K Watson, Red Jacket Racing, Mr M J Demarte, Mrs D V Demarte, Mr D J Roberts, Mr K Minhas, Mr B T Roche, Mr D A Andrews & Ken King Combo No 37.

It was day that saw many kiwi gallopers come so close at Caulfield with Maastricht’s second placing along with Rising Romance (NZ) (Ekraar) just defeated in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup. Kiwis finished second, third and fourth in the Group 1 feature with Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel) finishing third and Brambles (NZ) (Savabeel) claiming fourth position.