3 minute read

Pedigree to fore at Hastings; Fresh start for Sacred Flyer; Weight a major concern; Sense of timing about smart mare; Stallion parade at Karaka

Pedigree to fore at Hastings

Memories of a former champion stayer were revived at Hastings where Lucky Edie made the dream start to his career.

The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained two-year-old was successful on debut on Thursday following a winning appearance at the Te Awamutu trials.

“He’s a big boy and he will improve a lot with the run,” stable representative Gary Barlow said.

By Swiss Ace, Lucky Edie is a grandson of the Melbourne and Auckland Cup-winning mare Jezabeel.

Fresh start for Sacred Flyer

Raffles Farm galloper Sacred Flyer will open a new stage of his career at New Plymouth on Saturday.

Tendon issues have restricted the eight-year-old to 29 starts with his last five wins coming from the Sydney stable of Chris Waller.

Unraced for nearly a year, Sacred Flyer will have his first start in the Listed Waikato Stud Opunake Cup for Te Awamutu trainer Richard Sherwin, father of Raffles Farm manager Bruce.

Weight a major concern

Brian Smith is worried about Jetset Lad’s 58.5kg impost when the New Zealand-bred chases consecutive wins in Saturday’s Listed Tattersall’s Mile at Doomben.

“He’s gone up a hell of a lot of weight after his Brisbane Cup win and he had nothing on his back when he won this race last year,” he said.

“He’s trained on really well, but how can you be confident of winning with this weight? He’s only a little horse, but this is the only suitable race for him.”

Jetset Lad beat his stablemate Kingdoms in the Tattersalls Mile 12 months ago with 54kg.

Sense of timing about smart mare

Graham Richardson believes Queens Rose can make it a case of third time lucky at New Plymouth on Saturday.

Two previous trips to Taranaki have proved fruitless, but the Matamata trainer said the mare was stronger now and better-equipped to handle the trip.

Queens Rose broke through for a deserved black type success last time out in the Listed Tauranga Classic and Vinnie Colgan will continue his association with the five-year-old at the Pukekura Raceway.

Stallion parade at Karaka

New Zealand Bloodstock’s winter sale on Friday, July 31, will be preceded by the Karaka stallion parade.

Among those scheduled to make an appearance are freshmen stallions El Roca, Little Wonder and Proisir.

Burgundy, He’s Remarkable, Ferlax and Niagara will also be in attendance again this year giving breeders an opportunity to view a range of stallions as the breeding season approaches.