HORSES TO FOLLOW
16 July 2010
With National Week approaching it is time to consider horses which can handle some moisture as we are likely to have at least soft tracks at this stage for the Carnival. Progeny by Sandtrap, His Royal Highness, Spartacus, Exploding Prospect, Ishiguru, D’Cash, Le Bec Fin, Danske, Keeper, Brilliance, Al Akbar etc will be successful during this period.
Sir Ram
This 3g by His Royal Highness fulfilled his promise with a first up win yesterday and will go on to become a better than average galloper. Trained by Neil Coulbeck he will be given the time to develop but expect him to be prominent at Riccarton in August.
Au Naturel
A 2g by Spartacus in the Parsons Stable who trialled nicely and then finished on late over 1200 at Waimate last Sunday. More ground and a little time will be all he needs before making an impression on raceday.
Laudercreek
3g by Storm Creek in the Sally & Ben Gordon Stable who won very nicely first up at Riccarton in June and now heads to Trentham. He is an above average galloper who will be worth following over the Carnival.
Gold Tap
This 3g by Bunker had his first run after a spell recently at Waimate and ran a nice race to finish fifth. He has ability which is not really reflected in his record to date. Watch him from now on as we head to Riccarton in August. Trained by Kerry King who stands his sire Bunker in Southland.
Eminence
Due to have his first start for Peter McKenzie anytime now. He is a 3g by His Royal Highness naturally and bred to be above average. Perhaps he may step out at Riccarton like some other members of the Stable who have begun their racing careers on the track.
Mt Difficulty
A smart 2 yr old trial winner by Eltawaasul ex En Passant this week at Ashburton and like the Pinot Noir he is named after he will continue to improve with age. I am sure Shane & Megan Marr will point him towards Cup Week in November.
Shamrox
This 3f by Pyrus in the Danny Champion stable has ability and she enhanced her reputation even further by defeating Hold It Harvey in a trial at Ashburton this week. Primed and ready she will appear on raceday in the next few weeks.
2f by Align ex Specified
Paul Harris produced this very impressive type by Align at the Trials and she won under a hold. She promises to be prominent next season over a little bit of ground so watch for her first appearance in the Spring.
2c by No Excuse Needed ex Bellesinga
Shane Kennedy rates this individual who is particularly well bred. Out of a Danasinga mare with the Grosvenor influence lurking in behind he should run at least 1600 metres as he matures. Won his Trial narrowly but well this week and one to watch.
Good Punting!!!
Track Spy.
HORSES TO FOLLOW
12 April 2010
April has arrived and the possibility of the tracks beginning to soften in the weeks ahead. Time to consider those Sires whose stock love the change of season such as Danske, Sandtrap, I Conquer, My Halo, Rusty Spur, His Royal Highness, D’Cash, Painted Black and Spartacus.
Da Cartes
Another promising galloper by I Conquer in the R A Hampton stable who has won two in a row at Riccarton over 1600 metres and should be back in action in the near future. He traces back to Cathmoi and the family of Maurine, Six O’Clock News, Grand Flotilla and Maurita.
Victor Alberto
This 3g by Bertolini in the Kevin Gray stable was unlucky last start and should atone next time. A big strong type who should handle slightly softer conditions in the weeks ahead.
Aye Aye
This is a smart 2g by Al Akbar with the O’Malley stable who is due to start in the next few weeks after winning two Trials in very impressive fashion. Expect a bold run first up.
Johar 3c ex Lalou (by Jetball)
This horse won very impressively at the Waipa Trials recently for Graham Richardson. Being from the family which traces to that wonderful mare Easter Bride he appears to have some class and should be well worth following in the coming weeks.
Coat’s Choice 2f ex Donna Jazz
A particularly well bred filly which has excelled at the Trials and she should make her presence felt when she steps out for Ross Beckett.
Le Vin
This 3g by His Royal Highness gelding should have a profitable autumn for Neill Ridley judging by his recent run at Riccarton last Saturday. Any moisture will assist him and he should prove to be well worth following into the winter period.
Changingtheguard
Another promising type by His Royal Highness in the Murray Baker stable who won nicely at Taranaki. He lines up this week at Otaki and promises to be very hard to beat despite a rise in class.
Flying Alibi
This 3 yr old gelding was very impressive at the Asburton Trials and resumes in the next few weeks. He is bred on the very successful No Excuse Needed / O’Reilly cross and has already been placed in his previous campaign.
February 2010
HORSES TO FOLLOW
We are approaching the autumn and given the lack of warm weather throughout the country it may arrive sooner than usual. I have included a number of prospects who will excel as the tracks ease in the coming months.
Ballybit
This 3g by Spartacus is shaping as a Derby prospect under the care of Alan Sharrock. Blocked badly in his latest run at Awapuni but very impressive at Ellerslie in the start before which augurs well for his upcoming assignment. Out of a Grosvenor mare so 2400 metres should be ideal at Ellerslie in March.
Da Cartes
Another promising galloper by I Conquer in the R A Hampton stable who has won two in a row at Riccarton over 1600 metres recently and seems destined for higher honours. He traces back to Cathmoi and the family of Maurine, Six O’Clock News, Grand Flotilla and Maurita.
Skai Glen
A 4g by Painted Black who has been close up in two starts over 1400 and will appreciate more ground and a soft track. Trained at Te Aroha so watch for him in the next few weeks as he could pay a nice dividend next up over 1600.
Turn The Page
This Danzighill mare with Brian Anderton produced another very good effort at Wingatui on Cup Day and should continue on with some good form in the coming months. This Sire continues to leave a host of winners down south including the smart mare Royal Flight who ran 3rd in the White Robe Lodge Stakes.
Riomoral
This fellow is a very smart galloper in my opinion having won two from four starts and the latest over 1200 in 1.9.84 at Te Rapa. By Captain Rio he has the class to go on to the very best level up to 2000 metres.
Pezzaglia
A 3 yr old filly by High Chaparral who produced a sensational finish at Trentham then disappointed at Te Rapa on a firmer surface over the weekend. Heading towards the Oaks for Mark Walker and one to watch when she strikes softer footing.
3g by Kashani ex Volta.
Showing promise up north at the Trials for Peter Lock and may start shortly if not sold overseas. Well bred, rated by his connections and should be hard to beat first up.
King Montrose
A 3g trained by Neill Ridley who has taken time to fulfil the obvious potential he showed at the Trial stage. By Kings Chapel he finally produced a very good effort behind an open class galloper at Riccarton recently and now seems poised to show his true ability in the next assignment which will be the Southland Guineas.
October 2009
As we approach the most important racing period of the year in NZ and Australia it is even more important to focus on those horses which have already shown they possess the necessary class to win during this Premier Meeting at Riccarton. I have included a number of exciting prospects for the Cup and Guineas races over Cup Week in Christchurch which fit this category in my opinion.
Wall Street
Mentioned in the May Edition as a Cups horse in the making he has subsequently won four or five in a row and is currently favourite for the Couplands Mile. By Montjeu he is a 5g and all class. I am sure he will go on to win a number of quality races. Trained by Jeff Lynds who recently won the Hawkes Bay $Million feature with Vosne Romanee.
Finderskeepers
3g by Keeper with Richard Collett at Pukekohe he is a real chance in the 2000 Guineas after some very smart performances in only a few starts to date. Worth considering as his fixed odds price is attractive at the moment.
Rampant
Another 3g by Towkay which has produced some eye catching performances in recent weeks. The subject of several offers from HK he has been retained as the connections feel he is a real chance in the Wellington Guineas with the 2000 Guineas to follow. Trained by Guy Lowry at Hastings.
Best Reilly
3g by O’Reilly with John Sargent who won very easily first up at Matamata recently. Held in very high regard and may very well live up to his name in the coming weeks as he tackles the Wellington Guineas etc.
Amazing Spy
3g by Danroad which has won and placed in three starts form the Stable of Chris McNab at Cambridge. Appeals as an above average prospect for the summer season after winning nicely today at Hastings. Most of the stock of Danroad appreciate good tracks so watch for them over the coming months as this stallion is set to have his best season to date.
Gold Tap
3g by Bunker who was mentioned in the May Edition as one to follow. Had he run straight at Gore last Sunday he may have beaten the very promising Danske 3g Our Bee Jay who has already won three races. Bunker himself who won a G1 in New Zealand has some promising types about including Family Comment, Tap N Gold etc. Gold Tap could venture north over Cup Week and be very hard to beat in a Rating 70.
Gotta Govern
5m by Deputy Governor who is waiting for good tracks in the Central Districts and will be very difficult to beat next start. Trained by John Boon at Waverley she has sufficient ability to be competitive in a Listed Fillies and Mares event.
Veronico Franco
3f by Johar with Roger James which opened her account today at Hastings over 1600 in impressive fashion. She looms as a prospect for some of the Fillies races over the next few months.
Good luck and good punting!!!
--Track Spy
