Five-win gelding Super Pursuit will have his first tilt at stakes level when he contests the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
The Richard Collett-trained five-year-old has yet to finish outside the top five in his 12 career starts and he has continued his impressive form line when winning first-up over 1100m at Pukekohe last month before running third over 1200m at Matamata.
Collett is leaning towards keeping his charge over the 1200m for his next few starts, with a crack at the Gr.3 Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie next month also on the cards.
“We’re going to keep him (Super Pursuit) at 1200m for a little bit, he’s only had one go at open company,” Collett said.
“Until we step him out a bit more in open company then we’ll know a bit more.
“They go quicker sectionals, he’s better in races where they carry him along a bit early, he’s got a good sectional sprint but he’s just got to be timed right.
“If he got through the Hallmark we’d go back for the Concorde, he’s well placed in handicaps at this stage.
“There are other races beyond that at set weights and penalties and he’s just not well placed.”
Stablemate Super Strike will likely make his raceday return next month following an injury setback in October.
“He knocked and fractured a splint bone in early October and has had six weeks off, he’s just been back five weeks,” Collett said.
“He’s getting back to 600kgs but he won’t run until the third week of January.
“He’s a pretty capable horse, I’d love to have him in Sydney, with the restrictions we have we might be able to get him over there later.
“A Group One mile is probably what he should be aiming for a bit later on but we’ve just missed a little bit with him so we’ll take it as it goes.”
