Cambridge trainer Sam Mynott has sent her mare Verismo (NZ) (Puccini) south in a bid to capture some black-type at Wingatui this weekend.
Mynott owns the five-year-old, having secured her as a yearling, and believes her best chance of adding a stakes result to her pedigree page is in the South Island.
With that in-mind, Mynott went searching for some options and has elected to target her mare at Saturday’s Listed Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m).
“There just weren’t a lot of racing options up here for her. She wants further than 2100m and those races down there look like they suit her, so we will have a crack,” Mynott said.
Versimo has settled in well to her temporary home with trainer Robert Dennis, who Mynott became acquainted with in his stint as fellow Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman’s assistant.
“She went down last Monday to Rob Dennis, who has been looking after her, apparently she got down well and has been eating well, they are happy with her down there,” Mynott said.
While only the winner of two races to date, Mynott is hoping Verismo’s staying prowess coupled with her fitness level will lead to a strong showing in the $100,000 feature.
“It is good stake money and it is a great chance at black-type. She probably wouldn’t get that up here in the North Island, and she might sneak in down there,” Mynott said.
Verismo will carry 53kg from barrier six on Saturday, with northern hoop Joe Doyle travelling down to partner the mare.
“There are good horses in there, but she has good North Island form, and we know she can do the trip,” Mynott said. “It will just be whether or not those horses down there can do the trip. We know she is rock-hard fit, is ready to go, and we have got a good jockey on.”
Following her weekend assignment, Versimo is set to have one more start in the deep south before heading for a well-earned break.
“In a fortnight there is a 2600m race at Ascot Park worth $50,000, so she will probably head there afterwards and then head to the paddock for a spell,” Mynott said.
Mynott said it has been an enjoyable journey with Verismo and she is hoping it culminates with black-type success on Saturday.
“I did some yearlings for Monovale Farm a few years ago and we did a deal on a few and she ended up needing surgery as a yearling and I ended up taking over the ownership of her,” she said.
“It has been great, she has been a cool little horse to have around. She is not a superstar, but she is really genuine, and that is all you can ask for.”
Meanwhile, Mynott was active at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka earlier this week, purchasing two fillies out of Book 1.
She went to $80,000 to secure lot 83, the Circus Maximus filly out of Windsor Park Stud’s draft, and $50,000 to buy lot 278, The Almanzor filly out of Henley Park’s draft.
“I am really happy with the fillies we got,” Mynott said.
“The Circus Maximus stood out to me all the way along. She is a nice, forward type that is probably going to do something as a two-year-old but then progress into an even better three-year-old.
“The Almanzor is a little bit on the smaller side, but she is a really correct filly. I thought she was a bit of a steal for $50,000.”
