Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
The Te Akau trainers will have five contenders in the main events on the card with Snitzel colts To Bravery Born and Return To Conquer first cabs off the rank in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m).
The former has already given a taste of his talent with a debut victory to his credit while Return To Conquer has displayed rich potential with an unbeaten trial record.
“To Bravery Born has got the race day experience and he was very good at Wanganui and we gave him a short break after that,” Bergerson said.
“He has come back in really good order and has had a quiet trial, he is very professional and knows what it’s all about. He has certainly gone the right way since that win.”
To Bravery Born will be partnered from the inside gate by Michael McNab while his stablemate will be alongside in barrier two with Wiremu Pinn in the saddle.
“Return To Conquer has been impressive at the trials and we’ve always thought a lot of him,” Bergerson said.
“To go first-up in a stakes race is a bit of a gamble, but he is more than capable and certainly on his work we think he will be a really strong winning chance.
“They are hard to split because they have had different preparations, but off the trackwork you would probably lean to Return To Conquer, we think he is pretty sharp.”
Te Akau will also be double handed in the Gr.3 TAB Counties Cup (2100m) with Cognito and Qali Al Farrasha to go head-to-head.
“We think they are both nice each way chances, but unfortunately they have both drawn out so they will probably go back,” Bergerson said.
“Cognito has the runs on the board this prep to get him up in trip, which he’s always wanted.
“He has been hitting the line strongly and the step up to 2100m will suit and he’s performed well at Pukekohe before, he just needs a bit of luck from the barrier.”
The son of So You Think has placed in his last two starts over a mile while Qali Al Farrasha successfully resumed over 1400m and then finished runner-up over 1600m.
“Her first two runs in have been good and we’ve had to jump her up quickly whereas Cognito has a few more miles in his legs, but in saying that she is very talented.”
Top quality mare Campionessa will attempt to defend her title in the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), having been freshened since her last-start fourth in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m).
“Her trackwork has been really good and we took her to Te Aroha last week for an exhibition gallop just to keep her ticking over,” Bergerson said.
“We’re excited to see her back at the races and she’s got a nice barrier (four) so she should be able to position in behind the speed or forward of midfield.
“She gets in well under the conditions and we think class will take her a long way, whether the 1400m is too sharp we’ll see and La Crique looks the obvious one to beat on paper.”
The stable is also well-represented at Wanganui where Bergerson believed Discretion Rules and Quintefeuille in the Function Centre 3YO (1200m) give them their best chance of success.
“They are probably our best two and again, hard to split with their trial form but we lean toward Discretion Rules,” he said.
“He’s experienced and was obviously a stakes winner down south.”
The son of Alabama Express hasn’t raced since he claimed last season’s Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton and, like Quintefeuille, has had three trials to fit him for his return.
