New Zealand-bred gelding Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj) has returned to Victoria in good form after spelling in Queensland over winter and is pleasing trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr ahead of his first-up run in the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke (1400m) at Caulfield next month.
“He’s going good, that horse,” Price told Racing.com.
“He’s got a beautiful Queensland coat, he hasn’t got one of those winter coats. He’s a very sound and happy horse.
“He trialed on a wet track here and he’s not a wet tracker, but he still trialled really well, J [Jamie] Kah rode him, so he’s going to trial again next week and then he’s fresh up in the Rupert Clarke and then into the Toorak (Handicap) from there.
“Then we’ve got a bit of decision making to do after the Toorak.”
Ayrton has won all four of his previous first-up races, including the Gr.3 Victoria Handicap (1400m), so his connections are hopeful that record will stay intact following the Sir Rupert Clarke.
“He’s sound and clean and happy. I think it’s just a matter of getting a run in the Rupert Clarke and drawing a gate.
The rider is to be determined yet, Jamie’s (Kah) going to have a few options, so he’ll trial next week, and she’ll let us know.”
Ayrton was bred by Cambridge accountant Greg McCarthy, who remains in the ownership group after a private sale was negotiated by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo after the horse finished second in his only trial in New Zealand at Te Teko for trainer Lauren Brennan.
