Matamata trainer Jim Collett is looking forward to heading south to Hastings on Thursday where promising juvenile Basel Warrior (NZ) (Swiss Ace) will make his debut in the PGG Wrightsons Livestock 2YO (800m).
The son of Swiss Ace won’t be out of place, with his four opponents also yet to make their first race day appearance, and Collett is hopeful of a pleasing result.
Basel Warrior has had two trials to date, including winning his 850m heat at Waipa earlier this month in a field that included Group Two winner Bellatrix Star (Star Witness), which filled Collett with plenty of confidence.
“He trialled well enough at Waipa to give him a two-year-old race,” Collett said.
“I have had a look at all the other horses’ trials, they have all shown something, but you don’t know what is behind them in the trials. I know that Basel Warriors trial there was a Group horse (Bellatrix Star) tucked up beside him.”
While unsure of how his charge will handle Hasting’s track, which was rated a Heavy10 on Wednesday morning, Collett believes he is capable of featuring in the finish in the small field.
“I am unsure about the ground, but that is the only thing,” he said. “I think he will be all the better for getting on a better track, but I just would like to give him a trip and a race.
“I do think a bit of him.”
Meanwhile, Collett will head to Arawa Park on Saturday with just the one runner, Martell (NZ) (El Roca), who will step up to Open grade in the Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua 1230.
The son of El Roca, who races in the colours of breeder-owner Gerry Harvey, has won three of his last four starts, but Collett is wary of the rise in grade against some handy horses.
“Because he is 76 rated, there aren’t a lot of options for him,” Collett said. “He is a small horse, and I didn’t want to put him in a rating 75 and carry 61 kilos, so I thought I would go the other way and put him in an open handicap with an allowance on, and give him an opportunity.
“He doesn’t mind Rotorua, he has won there before. We are going to give it a go and see how we get on.”
Martell will be assisted by apprentice jockey Jessica Allen, whose three-kilogram claim will ensure he is eight kilograms better off than top weight, and last start Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m) winner, Casino Princess (NZ) (Casino Prince).
Martell is set to have a couple of more starts before heading for a spell, which could entail a trip to Hastings in the coming months.
“I found the key is giving him space between races, so I am only going to keep him going through the winter and maybe have a crack at one of the races over the Hawke’s Bay Carnival,” Collett said. “He is a very honest horse, and a lovely horse to ride.”
