NZ Racing News

Progressive Go Racing mares Campari and Mark II trialed yesterday at Avondale.

While Campari won easily, Mark II followed her usual pattern only beating one horse home. Says trainer Stephen Marsh “She’s going very well in track work so weren’t concerned about her trial. She only really gets up on race day but shows us very little prior to that. Some of the very good horses know to save themselves.”

These two mares are in a unique position – maideners who already have black type in New Zealand – which makes them ripe for a lucrative Australian campaign.

Says Racing Manager Albert Bosma, “They can make more money working their way through the grades in Australia rather than arriving with a high rating. New South Wales prize money was increased on the 1st of September which has further endorsed our new approach to career management of our promising horses.”

Campari is lightly raced but has performed in extremely good company. She has twice placed second after tough runs to subsequent Group 2 winner Sumstreetsumwhere and the highly rated Te Akau Shark. She finished her three-year-old campaign with a close up third in the listed Soliloquy Stakes to Filly of the Year, Dijon Bleu.

As a stayer, Mark Two has another string to her bow. 

Says Albert, “Australia is known for their sprinters not their stayers. In a four start career to date, Mark Two has finished second in the Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic, fourth in the Group 2 Royal Stakes and ran a good fifth in the Group 1 NZ Oaks last year.”

 “We know our mares are talented but they will be unknown in Australian and reap the benefits as they work their way up the grades. Prize money for maiden races in New South Wales is NZ$38,000 compared to $10,000 in New Zealand. On Wednesdays they run for NZ$55,000 increasing to NZ$140,000 on Saturdays.

We’re excited about their upcoming campaigns which are set to kick off later this month or early October. It is great to be able to offer owners an innovative way to manage their horse’s careers.”

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