Exciting start to the season

Exciting start to the season

The 2018 season has started with a bang.

Rock Island Line sprinted to victory at Riccarton on Grand National Saturday, the 11th of August to open our account for the coming 12 months. A very promising son of Rock ‘n’ Pop and the quality broodmare Island Time, it was his 2nd victory for this campaign and confirms how much he has improved with maturity.

Trainer Lisa Latta, fresh off her victory in the Group 3 Winter Cup the previous week, was lavish in her praise “He is a horse for the Winter Cup next year. I think he is a horse of open class ability and the trip away will make him.” Jockey Ryan Elliot was also complimentary saying he was still green with a bit to learn, but he felt he would thrive as a 1600 – 2000 metres horse through this season. He is now likely to have a brief let-up before racing again in the spring.

Hasabro was an excellent 2nd fresh up at Ruakaka over 1000 metres in his 3YO resumption and ambitious plans are afoot with him. “We bought him back early in the season as we are targeting the VRC Derby for him as we believe he is a natural stayer “ Racing Manager Albert Bosma said. Trainer Stephen Mckee was rapt with the performance “We were going to trial him at Avondale two days later, but elected to race him here on a better track instead. He was probably only trial fit and the race was far too short for him, but his ability took him a long way in the race.”

He has improved with the run and his coat is starting to move, showing he has taken a lot of benefit from the race. His next start is likely to be over 1400 metres before heading to Australia in September.

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