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Tonto & Purcentage to Guineas

3 minute read

Vinery sire Onemorenomore has another of his first-crop three year-olds on a Classic campaign with Purcentage aimed for Gr.1 Guineas in New Zealand.

Purcentage Picture: Studs

Matamata trainer Graham Richardson is setting his very promising filly Purcentage for the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 15.

A week after the Kiwi classic, Onemorenomore gelding Tonto will take on Perth’s best three year-olds in the G2 WA Guineas (1600m) at Ascot.

Purcentage (3f Onemorenomore – Spurcent by Flying Spur) was a brilliant debut winner at Avondale in July and followed up with a commendable third in the LR Ryder Stakes at Otaki.

“She came back from a break for the Gold Trail Stakes but we had to ease off because she was running a temperature,” Richardson said. “She raced first-up at Te Rapa last Friday week and ran a top second to Vinny Eagle over 1200 metres.

“She sat three-wide on a rain-affected track – nothing went right – and she has really come on for that run.”

Richardson will send Purcentage to the South Island next week for the LR Armadillo Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on October 25. She will tackle the colts and geldings second-up over a mile but connections believe that’s a better option than the Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa.

“The Sarten is the traditional lead-up to the 1000 Guineas but I want to get her down to Christchurch and settle in a few weeks before the Group 1. She’s got a big action that will be suited by Riccarton.”

Vinery sold Purcentage as a foal for $105,000 at the 2012 Magic Millions National Sale and she was pin-hooked for $250,000 at the 2013 NZB Premier Yearling Sale.

“She knows she’s special,” Richardson said. “She’s a quiet filly and is spoiled around the stable. Her coat is only just coming through after that setback and that makes me think there’s still plenty of improvement to come.”

Onemorenomore is a son of Vinery foundation sire Red Ransom and he excelled at a mile winning the G1 Champagne Stakes at Randwick. Vinery stands him for a $13,200 (inc gst) service fee.