Black Type attack on both sides of the Tasman
Go Racing will have runners in two feature races on Saturday, with Ruud Not Too lining up in the $100,000 Group 2 NZ Japan Trophy at Matamata and Alward racing in the $150,000 Group 3 Manion Cup over 2400 metres at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day.
“It has been a red letter day of racing for us in the past” says Go Racing boss Albert Bosma. “My very first horse, Silky Red Boxer won the NZ Japan Trophy for us and we of course had Ruud Awakening race in the slipper for is in 2013. Ruud Not Too is a very talented mare that has her quirks, but once she finds form, does hold it. She looks fabulous at the moment and is ready to run well from an awkward draw.”
Ruud Not Too won the inaugural Royal Descent Stakes at her last start in a smart time of 1.34.23 over her favourite distance of 1600 metres, the same length of Saturdays race. “She has won left handed before, but as she has got older, she has preferred right-handed tracks, so the transfer from Tauranga to Matamata isn’t ideal” says trainer Stephen Marsh. “She also needs a good track to perform at her best, but that looks likely for Saturday at this stage”. Ruud Not Too is likely to head to the Group 1 Te Aroha Breeders Stakes on the 7th of April at her subsequent start.
Alward has been very unlucky in his two runs this time in and should have won both of them with any luck. He was blocked all the way up the straight for his resuming 3rd over 1500 metres and was then caught three wide without cover for the trip when beaten a nose in Listed Company over 2000 metres last start. “He has improved since his impressive first campaign in Australia” says Bosma. “He has drawn wide again, so will need to find cover, but the biggest concern is the track conditions. He is a good track horse with his form on wet tracks having only one placing from six starts. The track looks like being slow, so he may be a doubtful starter.”
Being prepared for the Sydney Cup, a scratching on Saturday may see him need to run in the $1.5 Million Group 1 WFA Tancred Stakes over 2400 metres the following week. “With his rating, it isn’t an ideal race, so we will have to wait to see what the weekend brings and then have a chat to Chris Waller early next week if he doesn’t run.”
“It is exciting times for the horse and owners though.”