Mali Ston(NZ) (El Roca) will earn himself a return to the big time if he races up to expectations on his home turf on Friday.
The Darryn and Briar Weatherley-prepared son of El Roca was luckless at his most recent appearance and will be chasing a deserved victory in the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m).
Mali Ston ventured south to Trentham earlier this month for the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) and returned home empty-handed through no fault of his own.
The seven-year-old should have finished a lot closer than seventh after he was held up in traffic in the run home.
Unperturbed, the stable is keen to return to the capital city next month.
“If he goes a creditable race on Friday then we’ll put him on the float and go back to Wellington and try and win the Thorndon (Gr.1, 1600m),” Darryn Weatherley said.
Two years ago, Mali Ston came off success in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) to finish third in the Thorndon before his progress was halted by a broken pedal bone.
He has yet to win since his return but has posted placings in the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m), the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m), the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1400m) and the Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m).
Mali Ston will drop back in class on Friday in his chase for a sixth career victory.
“He’s got topweight and the outside gate, but he has been running in some pretty decent races and stronger than what he strikes on Friday,” Weatherley said.
“He’s been racing well and it would be nice to kick a goal on our home track. He is very bright, his work has been super and it looks a nice race for him.”
He will again be ridden by Weatherley’s son Sam who will also be aboard stablemates Bella Montagna(NZ) (Belardo) (Ancroft Stud Maiden, 1600m), Chahoo(NZ) (Belardo) (Comag Maiden,1400m) and Staphee(NZ) (Staphanos) (Matamata Veterinary Services Maiden, 1400m).
Belardo filly Bella Montagna accompanied Mali Ston to Trentham late last month to finish a strong fourth in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) after blundering at the start.
“It was a very good run and it’s come up a very good field on Friday, but she’s ticked all the boxes,” Weatherley said.
“She’s not going to be a maiden for long and I expect a bold run, the plan is hopefully to get to the Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m) and it looks like the further she goes the better she’ll be.”
Also by Belardo, Chahoo was seventh when resuming at Te Aroha and less than 3.5l off the winner.
“He’s won a trial and a little bit of rain would only help his chances. It was only 1150m last time and the 1400m this time may help him travel a bit better so he can improve,” Weatherley said.
Staphanos’ son Staphee was held up in running before finishing fifth at Rotorua on debut and then fell at Te Aroha.
“The 1400m might be short of his best, but she’s showed us enough to suggest he’ll win a race pretty soon,” Weatherley said.
“I’m pleased to see he has drawn out (10), he’s such a big, gangly horse and if he can get a bit of space he’ll be hitting the line nicely I’d suggest.”
