A classy field of some of the best and brightest gallopers in New Zealand racing went around in an open 1100m trial to kick proceedings off at Te Rapa on Saturday.
For most, the trial provided the perfect opportunity to test fitness levels ahead of their looming spring assignments with a number of eye-catching runs, none more so than the first three home in the contest.
Leading sprinter/miler Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) led comfortably throughout with rider Triston Moodley having a good grip on the five-year-old entire the length of the Te Rapa straight as he stopped the clock in a respectable 1.07.12 for the journey on the Heavy10 surface.
“He went okay, and Triston never moved on him,” co-trainer Grant Cooksley noted.
“He had a decent blow afterwards but we’re very pleased as the run and trip away from home will clean him up nicely for his first-up assignment.
“At this stage he will go to the Foxbridge Plate (Gr.2, 1200m) back at Te Rapa in a fortnight and then to the Tarzino Trophy (Gr.1, 1400m) at Hastings on 7 September.
“He appears to have come up well and through those first two we will reassess what we do with him next.”
Cambridge mentor Andrew Forsman had three runners in the trial and was pleased with the efforts of all three as last season’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) winner Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) looked sharp chasing home the winner, while Saint Bathans (Maurice) and Red Sea (NZ) (Pierata) battled home well, especially the latter who completely blew the start.
“Mustang Valley was advantaged by pinging the gates and putting herself there on the speed,” he said.
“She relishes that type of track and has had a nice day out with no real pressure.
“She will go to the Foxbridge and then the first two Group Ones at Hastings. She is the most forward of the three I had in, and her coat looks great, so she is coming up well.
“Saint Bathans made up good ground and we will concentrate on handicap racing with him for the time being.
“He has his quirks but is a happy horse and not far from kicking off.
“Warren (Kennedy, jockey) said Red Sea just dipped a little coming out and didn’t like that ground much.
“As tracks are going to stay pretty wet for a while yet I think we will head straight to Melbourne with him.”
Another talented individual heading to Melbourne later in the spring is Cups contender Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood), who delighted rider Ryan Elliot and co-trainer Graeme Rogerson with a sharp effort to finish close-up behind the first two home.
“He went super and is right back to his best,” Rogerson said.
“Ryan came back in and his exact words were he has his mojo back, which was gratifying to hear after the problems we had with him in his last prep.
“I think Debbie (wife and co-trainer) is leaning towards giving him a run in the Foxbridge Plate and maybe one more after that before we head over to Melbourne.
“We have him entered in both the Caulfield Cup (Gr.1, 2400m) and Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m) and we’re hopeful he can bring the form he showed as a three-year-old over there as we know he would be very competitive if he’s in that shape.”
Sharp “N’ Smart was one of the standout three-year-olds of the 2022/2023 racing season with victories in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) Gr.1 Champion Stakes (2000m) while also finishing runner-up in the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m).
