NZ Racing News

Go Racing could have as many as six runners nominated for the prestigious $10 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November.

The New Zealand-based syndicators have enjoyed a rich run of form in two-mile feature races over the last year, with Soul of Spain’s second placing in Saturday’s Gr.1 Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) being their latest result.

Jumping from barrier 11, the Chris Waller-trained five-year-old was settled at the back of the field by jockey Tommy Berry, where they remained throughout, before storming home to finish within a neck of the winner, Changingoftheguard.

“It was a massive effort from the barrier, and if he had drawn a gate, he would have won,” Berry said.

Go Racing Director Albert Bosma said he was proud of the performance and his team’s growing record over the premier staying distance.

“They walked in front, and he flew home,” he said.

“We have a good system for finding these top-class two-mile horses, and our recent results show that. We embarked on an ambitious programme to develop Melbourne Cup horses for our owners and the last 12 months shows the rise of that.”

In January, the Lisa Latta-trained mare Manzor Blue carried the Go Racing silks to victory in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m), and she then finished second in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m), the same race that fellow Go Racing charge Tajanis was a narrow and unlucky second in last season. They then had Etna Rosso finish second in the Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) last year.

Bosma confirmed that Soul of Spain and Manzor Blue will be nominated for the pinnacle two-mile test of the Melbourne Cup along with the Joseph O’Brien-trained Omni Man, who was a winner over 2400m at Glorious Goodwood and was stakes placed last year.

Their Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) winner Maison Louis is also a possible contender, as are their Auckland and Brisbane Cup runner-ups Tajanis and Etna Rosso. Both Soul Of Spain and Omni Man were sourced from the Arqana Breeze-up sale in France, which Bosma will be attending again next month.

“We welcome new owners to get involved in these horses and give them a live chance of being an owner in the race which stops two nations,” he said. “It’s easy, just get in touch.”

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)