Go Racing have strength in their three-year-old ranks as evidenced by a wining double at Tauranga on Wednesday.
The Stephen Marsh-trained Abandon (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) was making his season debut and settled midfield with cover for Wiremu Pinn before making a move on hitting the straight and running on to win by a half-length.
“He has always shown a lot of ability,” Go Racing’s Albert Bosma said. “Wiremu was very complementary and said once he got to the front he just floated around a bit, so he may need some head gear in time.
“He is a horse we may aim towards the Wellington Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m) on the 24th of November at Otaki and the Christmas New/Year carnival which is at Pukekohe and Te Rapa this year. He is also Karaka Million nominated so the Karaka Mile may well be on his dance card.”
A half to the Group Three placed Rip Into Ghia (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle), Abandon was purchased by Go Racing out of Windsor Park Stud’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock draft for $85,000.
Later in the day Sedaka (NZ) (Savabeel) cleared maiden ranks at her second start with a one and a quarter length win in the Aztech Signs 1400m.
Following her third on debut last month on the Cambridge Synthetic track, the Marsh-trained daughter of Savabeel impressed this time round when jumping smartly and staying up near the pace before lengthening on the straight to race past Kiva Han (NZ) (Bullpoint) and claim the win.
“We bought her through the Valachi Downs dispersal sale,” Bosma said. “We identified her as a horse that had trialled well and had a lot of untapped ability.
“She was very good winning yesterday and looks to have black-type in her future. We could look at the Wellington Stakes, or Eulogy (Gr.3, 1600m) for her ahead of the Royal Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m) which I think would be ideal. She has a lot of improvement both physically and mentally to come.
“Craig (Grylls, jockey) said she did it purely on natural ability, she is still quite green. She doesn’t quite have a handle on the racing game so has enormous potential.”
Meanwhile, the Go Racing silks will be carried by Diss is Dramatic (NZ) (Dissident) in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.
The stakes-winning Lisa Latta-trained filly holds nominations for both the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Duabi 2000 Guineas (1600m) with a decision being made about what Classic to target after the weekend.
“I don’t think the mile on Saturday will be a problem for her,” Bosma said.
“With a good barrier she should get some cover and has had good natural improvement since her last race. We are confident she will run a strong race and Saturday will determine the path she will take.”
