Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott are leaning towards Ellerslie as the starting point for the career of their juvenile Jaffira (NZ) (Iffraaj).
The Iffraaj colt is dual accepted for both New Plymouth on Friday and Ellerslie on Saturday, but the Matamata horsemen are favouring a hit-out closer to home where Jaffira has drawn barrier two in the Thomsons Food service 1100.
“He is most likely to go to Ellerslie, we will give him a bit of a look around there,” Scott said.
“His trial form is pretty good and his work has been good.”
Jaffira has placed in both of his trials to date and while they have a bit of time for the colt, his trainers believe he is more of a three-year-old type.
“He is still learning but he is a really nice horse,” Scott said. “He is probably going to be more of a three-year-old, but it is important to give those three-year-olds a run at two so they have a bit of raceday experience under them. He is a horse we think is really going to go on at three.”
If he performs well a tilt at the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni in April could be on the cards.
At Ellerslie the stable will also line-up Gone With The Wind (NZ) (Sebring) in the Dads Pies 1500, and Fast Willie (Teofilo) in the Ecochill 2100.
“Gone With The Wind has been racing really well without a lot of luck,” Scott said.
“This weekend she will have Opie Bosson on, so we are hoping he can do the trick.
“She gets around Ellerslie really well and she is certainly racing really consistently so we are hoping she can get the rub of the green on the weekend and she should get over the line.”
Scott is also excited about the prospects of last start winner Fast Willie.
“He is a promising staying horse,” Scott said. “Now that we have got him out to a trip we think he will put in another strong performance.”
