Scott Base Brilliant in Wellington Guineas

Select Sale graduate and Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) winner Scott Base (NZ) (Dalghar) returned to action with a stunning performance in Saturday’s $100,000 Group 2 Phill Cataldo Bloodstock Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham.

Scott Base followed his Karaka Million heroics with a fast-finishing fourth in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) in February, setting him up as one of the favourites for the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).

A bruised heel forced his withdrawal from the Ellerslie classic, but he returned to racing in outstanding style on Saturday.

Ridden by Vinnie Colgan, Scott Base appeared to be struggling well back in the field at the top of the straight. But he warmed into his task in the last 250 metres and dived through on the inside of Paulownia (Fastnet Rock) to score by a nose.

“Somehow he’s got his beak down,” co-trainer Johno Benner said. “He hit a bit of a flat spot for a while, but the way he got going and got up to win – he’s a bit special. Everyone can see how good he is. Long-term I think he could take his place in a Cox Plate.”

Scott Base was bred by Neven Botica’s Botsky Pty Ltd and was offered by Brighthill Farm at the 2016 Select Sale. He was bought for $70,000 by Chris Rutten, who shares ownership with John Norwood and Joanna and John Frew.

Scott Base has now had 12 starts for four wins, three placings and $645,750 in prizemoney – more than nine times his purchase price.