The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott training partnership have been in white hot form this season with 48 wins to their credit, including seven at Group or Listed level, headed by the victory of Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November.
Currently sitting fourth on the National trainers’ premiership table, the Wexford Stables team will unleash runners at both their local meeting at Matamata on Friday and again at Te Rapa on Saturday with O’Sullivan confident they can break their previous season best tally of 49 wins at short notice.
“We certainly have had a great season with a predominantly young team, so it has been very satisfying for everyone associated with the stable,” O’Sullivan said.
“I think we are on target to possibly get to 60 wins by the end of July, which would be a great achievement.
“Hopefully we can knock off the two wins we need to set a new record in the next wee while and it would be nice to even do it this weekend.”
O’Sullivan and Scott have eight of their team set for Te Rapa on Saturday headed up by promising three-year-olds Geriatrix (Almanzor) and I’munstoppable (NZ) (Charm Spirit) in the Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), while a pair of youngsters in Zelezniak (Hellbent) and Sister Cynane (I Am Invincible) add plenty of intrigue to the Cambridge Raceway 2YO (1200m) earlier on the card.
“Geriatrix and I’munstoppable are both going well but it is a field with very good depth,” O’Sullivan said.
“I’munstoppable has the better draw which will probably give her the edge over the other fellow, however, we are very happy with them both.
“Our two-year-olds are also in good nick with Sister Cynane a promising filly.
“She has won three of her four trials, so we think she has a bright future ahead of her.
“Zelezniak went out a raging hot favourite on debut on his home track but did a lot wrong that day and didn’t really fire like we had expected him to.
“He has been gelded since and is a real work in progress, but we’d like to think he will be able to show his best from now on.”
Stablemates Uderzo (NZ) (Vadamos) and Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie) clash in the open 1400m contest, with O’Sullivan looking for a measure of revenge for Uderzo after he was relegated from first at his most recent start at Pukekohe.
“Both Karman Line and Uderzo are also working along nicely and will strip in good order,” he said.
“Karman Line had no luck in the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) last time while Uderzo cost himself with his tendency to lay in on other runners in the concluding stages at Pukekohe.
“They are hard to split although Karman Line has been working very well.”
The stable will have five runners on show on their home track at Matamata on Friday, including three-year-old debutant Miss Bo Peep (NZ) (Astern).
She is an Astern filly out of Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1200m) winner Miss Raggedy Anne (NZ) (Faltaat) and will launch her career off the back of placing in two of her three trial runs.
“Miss Bo Peep is probably our best chance on Friday although she has a pretty rough draw (15) to contend with,” O’Sullivan said.
“She has pleased in her trials and while she will benefit from the experience of raceday she should go nicely.
“Neighbourhood and Jaffira are both in the rating 75 1400m and are hard to split while Trump Card and Te Atatu Dream would be competitive if they can produce their best.”
O’Sullivan also reported that this season’s Gr.1 Railway (1200m) winner Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) has returned from Perth in good shape after performing with great credit as the nominated slot runner for New Zealand’s Trackside Media in the A$5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot last Saturday.
“He arrived home this morning and is tucked away in his paddock enjoying himself,” O’Sullivan said.
“He went absolutely huge on Saturday in a race where he got back, which wasn’t the place to be.
“He finished off very strongly and we couldn’t be more thrilled with how he performed and represented New Zealand on the day.”
