Five Stakes runners this weekend
On a weekend with 12 runners in New Zealand and Australia, we are very proud that five of them will be contenders in stakes races.
No More Tears backs up in Sydney in The Group 3 JHB Carr Stakes after a dissapointing first start last Saturday on Championships Day. It was the worst run of her career and we have monitored her closely since. She has swum this week, worked well and we can find no reason not to back her up, which was always the plan.
She drops in class and back to her own age group and the 1400 metres should suit better. She has drawn perfectly in barrier 4 and has the services of Australia’s best jockey, Hugh Bowman, so has a number of things in her favour.
At home, the very fast Passing Shot races in the Listed City Of Napier Sprint at Hawkes Bay over 1200 metres after his last start win in Listed Lightning Stakes at Trentham. He is re-united with Opie Bosson and should get his favoured firm track conditions.
Further south Seize The Moment flies down to Christchurch this week for the Listed Christchurch Casino Easter Cup over 1600 metres. It is his first time on a plane and to the South Island, and he has been well looked after by the locals with a barrier draw of 4. Her is super consistent and handles almost any track conditions. He will be a good chance with last start rider Michael McNab aboard. He will be joined on the flight by last start winner Poetic Affair who races in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes for three-year-old fillies over 1600 metres. Her work has been excellent since her maiden win and we have a confidence boost for her with Sam Spratt flying down to ride her.
Drawn one place outside her in the same race is the very talented Black Sav. She was suffering from a virus in her last start in The Lowland Stakes at Hastings, but has fully recovered from that now. Michael McNab rides her and we are expecting a bold showing from her.