Top Field Lining Up in NZB $500,000 2YO Classique
3 February 2006
Te Rapa racecourse in Hamilton plays host to New Zealand's richest juvenile race tomorrow: the $500,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Two Year Old Classique (1200m).
The event is open to all horses sold through the 2005 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series and a stellar line up has been assembled for Saturday's event. With the average sale price of the starters in the fourteen horse field just $47,000, the race promises substantial returns to owners from the $500,000 purse.
Well represented is Cambridge Stud's popular sire, Stravinsky, with four runners guaranteed a start in the race. Stravinsky made headlines during the week when his colt from Group 1 winning Zabeel mare, Grand Echezeaux, fetched $2.2 million to the bid of David Ellis, to top the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka.
South Island trainers, Shane Kennedy and Ricky Carston have a strong chance in last start Gr.3 Wellesly Stakes winner, Italia (Stravinsky x Capote Crossing). The filly was a $60,000 purchase from Trelawney Stud's Premier Sale draft and has now won two of her three starts. Kennedy has again been an active buyer at Karaka this week and amongst his purchases was Lot 236, a colt by Stravinsky from the imported King Mambo mare, Chablis, also for $60,000.
Bruce Wallace, trainer of promising colt, Royal Pericles (Stravinsky x Magpies) is hoping to use the Classique as a launching pad for a raid on the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield on February 25. Royal Pericles, a $65,000 purchase and a winner of two of his three starts, will have to overcome a wide barrier after drawing 17 in the field which features 4 emergencies.
Also by Stravinsky are the Peter McKay trained, Mon Reve (Stravinsky x Almaz), and Mark Walker trained, Lady Classique (Stravinsky x Maiden Over), with second emergency Soelin (Stravinsky x Solano).
Matamata trainers, Mike Moroney and Andrew Scott have a strong hand in the race with Jokers Wild (Black Minnaloushe x Miss Rory) and Blue Skies (Spectatorial x Blue Reality) both leading chances. Jokers Wild ($40,000 from the Select Sale), usually an on-pace runner, will have a difficult task from barrier 16. Blue Skies ($40,000 from the Festival Sale), a winner on debut, has been a game runner-up in her two subsequent starts and is again expected to turn in an honest performance.
Stoney Bridge Stud's first crop sire, Postponed, is represented by the Graeme Rogerson and Stephen Autridge trained, Ifionlyhadtime (Postponed x Red Letter Day). Purchased for $33,000 by Graeme Rogerson and raced by the John Rowles Syndicate, Ifionlyhadtime returned from a brief let up with a hard fought fourth at Ellerslie last start behind Master Hunter (O'Reilly x She Wishes), after traveling wide throughout.
Also by Postponed is Stormpastthepost (Postponed x Storm Jewel), a second-placed runner on debut, bought by his trainer, Karen Zimmerman, for $35,000.
Ifionlyhadtime is one of three starters sold at the 2005 Karaka Sale by Bloomsbury Stud. Redbreb (Viscount x Red October), a $75,000 Premier Sale graduate, and first emergency, Inertia (Danasinga x Upstage), a $35,000 Select Sale graduate, also represent the Stud.
New Zealand's leading trainer, Mark Walker, has two youngsters guaranteed a start, including the promising Redbreb, a winner at his only start, and Lady Classique who impressed with a close up second at Avondale a fortnight ago. A $72,500 Premier Sale purchase last year, Cambridge Stud will offer a half sister to Maiden Over by Keeper at Lot 977 of the Select Sale, which continues today.
Lance O'Sullivan will be hoping his talented filly, Jesterchine (Rory's Jester x Ventured), can reproduce the ability she showed on debut, when a narrow second behind subsequent Group 3 winner, Chant (Traditionally x Chatennay). Lance purchased the filly from the Select Sale for $85,000, making her the most expensive starter.
Also lining up on Saturday is Adjective (Traditionally x Knauss), Sands of Time (Sandtrap x Cold War), Solvini (Bertolini x Paris Sky) and Miss Toffeless (Black Minnaloushe x Dancing Aurora).