A tilt at Group One glory at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day now awaits Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) following his comfortable 1000m trial win at Ellerslie on Monday.
The son of Satono Aladdin comfortably took care of his four rivals and gave co-trainer Grant Cooksley plenty of confidence heading into a potentially lucrative summer campaign.
“He just had an easy trial, a bit of a blowout, and did what he had to do,” said Cooksley, who trains in partnership with Bruce Wallace.
The four-year-old entire won the Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe last month and Cooksley is hoping he can take that form into the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at the South Auckland track on January 1.
“He is a lot stronger this year and he went great last time,” he said.
“He will go to the Railway and then we will work it out. He will more than likely go to 1400m after that and then the mile (Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic) on Karaka Million night.”
Cooksley was also pleased with stablemate Gino Severini’s trial, finishing third in his 1400m heat.
The 10-year-old gelding continues to belie his age, winning the Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m) last start and is being set to tackle the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) on New Year’s Day.
“He went for a canter around and did what he had to do (on Monday). He will probably go to the mile at Pukekohe on the first,” Cooksley said.
“He is really well and he is still enjoying it (racing). As soon as he stops enjoying it he will be retired.”
Cooksley was impressed with Ellerslie’s new StrathAyr surface and is looking forward to racing returning to the Auckland venue from January 14.
“They had jumpouts the other day and the grass is a little bit longer now. A little longer and it will be fine,” he said.
“It will be good to get back racing there, it is the place to be.”
