Go Racing and Thoroughbred News
Go Racing on the hunt for Aussie riches
The Go Racing team have a lot to look forward to this weekend, highlighted by two exciting representatives stepping out at Rosehill on Saturday.
The headline act is consistent Group performer Soul of Spain, who takes his spot in the A$1.5 million Gr.1 Tancred Stakes (2400m).
The five-year-old Irish-bred Phoenix of Spain gelding finished fourth behind star mare Autumn Glow two starts ago and was second in the Gr.3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) last start, a fortnight ago.
“His sectionals last start were exceptional,” Go Racing General Manager Matt Allnutt said.
“His jockey Tommy Berry said he basically ran a race that would’ve normally won it, but he just got back slightly further than we wanted.
“He really hit the line well and he looks to be peaking for Saturday, and it is the target race of his preparation.”
Soul of Spain is the latest success story to come out of Go Racing’s prosperous dual-hemisphere purchasing model. He was bought as a ready-to-race two-year-old, and trained by Joseph O’Brien in Ireland for two seasons before he joined champion trainer Chris Waller in Australia.
“Since landing in Australia, he has improved immensely,” Allnutt said. “He’s a credit to Chris Waller and his team who do an excellent job.”
Soul of Spain, who Allnutt described as a forgotten horse in the race, is currently sitting at a fixed odds price of $12. He’s drawn barrier five, and Tommy Berry retains the ride.
Soul of Spain’s stablemate Lord Penman is the other runner flying the Go Racing flag at Rosehill on Saturday. The New Zealand-bred four-year-old will run in the A$250,000 Doncaster Prelude (1500m), with connections hoping he can gain a start in next week’s Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).
He finished seventh in the Gr.2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) from an outside gate last start.
“His work on Tuesday was really good, he strode out nicely and he looks exceptional,” Allnutt said.
“He’s ready to run well in the Prelude, and it’s really exciting having two great chances running for such good prize money on a big day in Australia.”
Go Racing will also be represented by Tajanis in the XXXX Open Handicap (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday, and they’re expecting an improved showing from him as he steps up in distance, while their three nominated starters in New Zealand are unlikely to run due to adverse track conditions.
As well as the excitement on the track this weekend, Go Racing will also be working hard to secure a filly to race in New Zealand out of the Inglis Easter Sale, which starts on Sunday in Sydney.
“We will be buying a fast filly to target New Zealand’s two and three-year-old Group races, to target valuable black-type and residual value,” Allnutt said.
“We’ve had success at this sale over the last two years with Little Black Dress, who is now a stakes winner and multiple Group-placed filly, and last year we purchased Rose Aye Reign and Miss Janet, who are both exciting two-year-olds.”
Photo: Soul of Spain at Rosehill in the Gr.3 Sky High Stakes (Bradley Photos)
Melbourne Cup bid on the cards for Manzor Blue
By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Most trainers dream of competing in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Palmerston North horsewoman Lisa Latta may have found her horse to get her to Flemington on the first Tuesday in November.
Talented stayer Manzor Blue once again proved her staying qualities at Ellerslie on Saturday when finishing runner-up behind Australian raider Paradise Storm in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m).
It comes just over a month after her victory in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham, and Latta was delighted to see the daughter of Almanzor vindicate her connections’ decision to pay the late nomination fee for the Auckland Cup.
“I am really rapt with her,” Latta said. “Winning the Wellington Cup and then to carry on with it. She was the first New Zealand horse home, which is always good. We are really proud of what she has done.”
The spelling paddock is now beckoning the five-year-old mare and Latta said she will sit down and devise a plan with Go Racing, who race the mare, about getting Manzor Blue to Melbourne in the spring.
“She will go to the paddock now for six to eight weeks and then we may well look at something in Australia in the spring,” Latta said. “We will give her the chance (to get to the Melbourne Cup), but she has gone out for a well-deserved break now.”
Latta also picked up another pleasing result on Champions Day with stablemate Platinum Attack, who placed in the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m), and the five-year-old gelding will now be set for a stakes race closer to home.
“I was happy enough with the run,” Latta said. “The lack of speed in the race probably didn’t help him, they didn’t run a really fast time. He is better when the pace is on.
“He will probably back up in the Lightning (Listed, 1200m) at Trentham in two weeks.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Photo: Manzor Blue winning the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m), Peter Rubery (Race Images).
