Kingsclere Stables

08/12/2024

KINGSCLERE GALLOPERS CONTINUING FAMILY LEGACY

By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

A pair of well-related gallopers delivered impressive fresh-up victories for Roger James and Robert Wellwood across the weekend.

Irish Legacy, a daughter of multiple Australian Group One-winning mare Shillelagh, made her four-year-old debut at Ellerslie on Saturday, after four appearances last term included a third placing in the Gr.3 Mufhasa Stakes (1200m).

Backed into odds-on favouritism in the TAB 1200, Irish Legacy was patiently handled by Ryan Elliot early, easing into a midfield position on the back of her younger stablemate Osteria. A wall of horses were in front of the mare nearing the 250m, but Elliot quickly reverted to the inside and once she found clear air, Irish Legacy put the field away comfortably, with Osteria holding on gamely to complete the Kingsclere quinella.

Wellwood was rapt with the performance, with the ultimate goal to boost her black-type record for Christopher Grace, who bred and co-owns the blue-blooded mare.

“She was very impressive, maturity has been a big thing for her both physically and mentally,” he said. “She’s not the easiest filly, but she’s certainly grown up a lot.

“She got a bit of black-type at three so clearly the ability was there, but to see her sprint and put them away as easily as she did yesterday, it was a nice statement.

“I think we’ll work through the grades, but she’s by I Am Invincible out of a Group One winner, so the more black-type we can get, the better. She has been retained by her breeder, so we want to find some black-type at some point.”

Wellwood also praised the efforts of Osteria, the Ribchester three-year-old recording his fourth top-three finish in as many starts this campaign for owner-breeders Barneswood Farm.
“He was very good, he ran a good race but just unfortunately ran into what is a very good mare,” he said.

“We’re not sure where we will head with him next, but he’ll probably step up to 1400 now.”

On Sunday, James and Wellwood were represented at Te Aroha by Usain, who returned in style to collect his maiden success in the Team Wealleans 1400. The son of U S Navy Flag was last at the races in June, finishing fifth over a mile to Awhina.

In the hands of Masa Hashizume, who won earlier in the meeting aboard Dua Dance, Usain was eased back from a wide gate, travelling wide early before finding cover behind race-favourite Bak Da Angel. The gelding crossed to the centre of the track down the home straight and kept finding, kicking away from Bak Da Angel in the final strides to score by a half-length.

“We were hopeful that he would go and win today, but we thought that he may have to get out to a mile,” Wellwood said.

“He’s strengthened up a lot into this preparation, he’s still got a lot to learn and he lay in coming down the straight, but he hit the line strongly and was pretty impressive.”

Usain is the eighth foal out of Etah, making him a half-brother to Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) winner Etah James. Wellwood expects, with time, the gelding can also make his mark in the staying ranks.

“We certainly think he’s only going to get better as he goes further and probably with a bit more time,” he said.

“Looking to next year, that is probably when we’re going to see him really put his hand up, he’s still got some maturing to do but the family has probably been a bit like that.”

Usain is raced by his breeders, Mark and Cath Lupton, Terry Reid and Gary Howes. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

📸: Irish Legacy and Ryan Elliot powered away with Saturday's TAB 1200 at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

08/12/2024

🌟 Usain resumed by bolting down the outside at Te Aroha in the Team Wealleans Maiden 1400 today. Thanks to Masa Hashizume for the winning ride and congratulations to owners and breeders G R Howes, Mrs C R & M Lupton & T C Reid.
Catch the replay here: https://loveracing.nz/Common/SystemTemplates/Modal/Video.aspx?v=http%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202412%2fM6_TARO_R05_081224.mp4&i=%2fCommon%2fImage.ashx%3fw%3d565%26h%3d314%26a%3d1%26o%3d1%26z%3d1%26bg%3deeeeee%26p%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202412%2fM6_TARO_R05_081224.jpg&r=Race%205%20-%20TEAM%20WEALLEANS%201400&rs=1&jwsource=cl

07/12/2024

🌟 A great result for the team with a stable quinella in the TAB 1200m at Ellerslie! Thank you to Ryan Elliot who managed to edge Irish Legacy through a gap to unleash her powerful finish ahead of stablemate Osteria.
A homebred for Christopher Grace from his wonderful mare Shillelagh, congratulations to all involved in racing her.
Catch the replay here: https://loveracing.nz/Common/SystemTemplates/Modal/Video.aspx?v=http%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202412%2fM2_AUCK_R04_071224.mp4&i=%2fCommon%2fImage.ashx%3fw%3d565%26h%3d314%26a%3d1%26o%3d1%26z%3d1%26bg%3deeeeee%26p%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202412%2fM2_AUCK_R04_071224.jpg&r=Race%204%20-%20TAB%201200&rs=1&jwsource=cl

25/11/2024

CONSISTENCY REWARDED FOR ALADDIN SANE

By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Tight photo finishes were the story of Saturday’s meeting at Pukekohe Park, and in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers Championship Qualifier (1600m), there was no exception with a four-way go topped by Aladdin Sane.

The four-year-old gelding had finished runner-up in each of his starts at competitive Rating 65 grade this preparation, and regular rider George Rooke remained on board as he contested a field of progressive types over the mile.

A wide barrier draw (12) forced Rooke to press forward from his three-wide position, settling in the first trio outside of Rule Of Law and Sinhaman. Aladdin Sane and Sinhaman were on even terms all the way down the Pukekohe straight and were joined by Subtle Power and the fast-closing Rosetown Princess on the line, with the photo eventually favouring the son of Satono Aladdin by a nose.

Aladdin Sane is prepared by Roger James and Robert Wellwood at Cambridge, who were thrilled to see his consistent form rewarded.

“He’s been very honest and has been knocking on the door. It was great to see him get the win, albeit very tight,” Wellwood said.

“Unfortunately drawn wide, he’s had to settle three or four wide, and he’s probably a better horse ridden quietly. It was an unavoidable circumstance meaning he had to press forward, which made the win even better.

“He ended up right there and nearly in front a long way out, and he was just tough to the line.”

In its 26th year, the Dunstan Stayers Series culminates on Boxing Day at Ellerslie with the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers Championship Final (2400m), a race firmly on the radar for Aladdin Sane.

“He’ll probably have one run over 2000-2100m somewhere, there’s a number of options for him,” Wellwood said.

“Hopefully then, we’ll go on to the Dunstan Final on Boxing Day.”

Bred by Rich Hill Thoroughbreds, the Cambridge trainers purchased Aladdin Sane for $32,000 on the New Zealand Bloodstock Online Yearling Sale in 2022. Raced by a large ownership group, the gelding has finished in the first pair in six of his eight starts, earning $83,695 in stakes.

“At that stage, it was early days of Satono Aladdin, but he was a stallion that we liked,” Wellwood said.

“He (Aladdin Sane) came up online and he was a good type that walked very well. We didn’t pay a lot for him, but he’s been a very genuine horse and with time, as he goes further, he’s only going to do more.

“It’s exciting for the ownership group going forward.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

📸: Aladdin Sane (centre) winning the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers Championship Qualifier (1600m) at Pukekohe.
Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

23/11/2024

🌟 Aladdin Sane's recent consistency was rewarded with a win in the last at Pukekohe Park today, taking out the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers Championship Qualifier 1600m. Thanks to George Rooke for guiding him to prevail in an incredibly tight finish!

Bought by the stable to syndicate from the National Online Yearling Sale for $32,000, he's more than doubled that in earnings with today his second win. Congratulations to his big group of owners which includes B M Allen, T Bartley, C T Campbell, Mrs T Colven, C P Dew, C L Hall, D Honiss, B A Ireland, R Iversen, R L Johnstone, G N Kane, B J King, Miss J H Lovell-Smith, R Marvin, M J Mathias, T McEwan, R J McIlraith, D Mead, O Milne, W N Strand & B K K Tupaea 💪🏻
🎥 https://loveracing.nz/Common/SystemTemplates/Modal/Video.aspx?v=http%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202411%2fM2_AUCK_R10_231124.mp4&i=%2fCommon%2fImage.ashx%3fw%3d565%26h%3d314%26a%3d1%26o%3d1%26z%3d1%26bg%3deeeeee%26p%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202411%2fM2_AUCK_R10_231124.jpg&r=Race%2010%20-%20DUNSTAN%20HORSEFEEDS%20STAYERS%20CHAMPIONSHIP%20QUALIFIER%201600&rs=1&jwsource=cl

15/11/2024

NEWCASTLE TEST FOR DIONYSUS

By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

New Zealand raider Dionysus will attempt to secure stakes success for his connections when he heads to Newcastle on Saturday to contest the Listed The New Zealand Bloodstock Beauford (2300m).

Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood had found it hard to place the seven-year-old gelding in New Zealand and looked offshore for potential targets and felt the Beauford presented as an ideal race.

“He was getting to the stage where he was hard to place here. He was high up in the handicaps and he is possibly not a true weight-for-age horse, he is not very big,” James said.

“A mile-and-a-half seems to be his pet distance and we spotted that one over there for him. He has come in okay at the handicap, it’s 2300m, we discussed it with the owner and thought it was worthy of having a go. Whenever we have lined him up over 2300m or 2400m he has almost never disappointed us. Hopefully I can be saying the same thing in another 48 hours.”

The son of Ocean Park, who was victorious in last year’s Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m), has settled in well across the Tasman and James said they will wait to see how he comes through his weekend run before making any further plans. “We will make a decision once we see the result,” he said.

Meanwhile, the stable’s multiple Group One winner Orchestral is enjoying some time in the paddock following an unsuccessful Melbourne Spring campaign, which resulted in a sixth placing in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) and 12th placing in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).

“She is home and in the paddock,” James said. “ I thought her first run was full of merit, she just never got room. Her second run was probably the worst run of her life. We couldn’t fault her after the run, it’s just one of those headscratchers.”

New Zealand targets await the daughter of Savabeel in autumn before a possible campaign in Australia.

“There are a lot of opportunities in New Zealand in the autumn, so we will certainly be staying here until we see what her form is like and then work out if we want to go to Aussie from there,” James said.

– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
📸: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

07/11/2024

🌟 Market Square takes out race nine, the Stella Artois Mdn 1600m at Pukekohe Park , giving us a double for the day. The consistent four year old son of Tavistock was green to the post but showed us there is certainly more to come. He breaks his maiden today after 5 starts with 3 placings.

Congratulations to owners and breeders R A Craddock and A D Harris. And a big thanks again to George Rooke for another superb ride. We are very lucky to have some talented international jockeys joining our riding ranks in NZ 💪🏻

🎥 : https://loveracing.nz/Common/SystemTemplates/Modal/Video.aspx?v=http%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202411%2fM2_AUCK_R09_071124.mp4&i=%2fCommon%2fImage.ashx%3fw%3d565%26h%3d314%26a%3d1%26o%3d1%26z%3d1%26bg%3deeeeee%26p%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202411%2fM2_AUCK_R09_071124.jpg&r=Race%209%20-%20STELLA%20ARTOIS%201600&rs=1&jwsource=cl

07/11/2024

🧡 George Rooke gets the job done in R4 with Osteria winning by two lengths to break his maiden. The pair take out the Rich Hill Stud Mdn 3yo over 1200m at Pukekohe Park this afternoon.

The three year old gelding by Ribchester was bred and owned by Barneswood Farm and records his first win today from five starts. Congratulations to Sarah and the team from Barneswood Farm and a big thanks to George Rooke for the winning ride.

Catch the replay here: https://loveracing.nz/Common/SystemTemplates/Modal/Video.aspx?v=http%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202411%2fM2_AUCK_R04_071124.mp4&i=%2fCommon%2fImage.ashx%3fw%3d565%26h%3d314%26a%3d1%26o%3d1%26z%3d1%26bg%3deeeeee%26p%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202411%2fM2_AUCK_R04_071124.jpg&r=Race%204%20-%20RICH%20HILL%20STUD%201200&rs=1&jwsource=cl

29/10/2024

ORCHESTRAL TAKING ON EMPIRE ROSE

By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Orchestral had her name up in lights during the autumn in Sydney, and on Saturday she will step out on the big stage at Flemington as a key hope in the A$1 million Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).

The daughter of Savabeel had an incredible three-year-old campaign with highlighted victories in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) before asserting herself among the top fillies in Australasia when capturing the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.

Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood emphasised their focus on the autumn in her four-year-old year with a light spring campaign on the cards, and in her first start in Victoria on October 12 she pleased with a sixth placed finish in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).

“We were very happy, she just lacked any room or luck when we needed,” Wellwood said.

“When she did get clear air, she really rushed at the line and closed well late. Caufield was probably always going to be a hard track for her, so we’re really looking forward to seeing her at Flemington.”

Having settled well into life across the Tasman, Orchestral had an opportunity to take a lookaround the iconic racecourse prior to her elite-level assignment.

“She’s a pretty fit mare now, she galloped on the course proper at Flemington and had easy work, running 1.11,” Wellwood said.

“Declan Bates rode her and was very pleased with her and how she pulled up.

“She’s really thriving now, licking the bin and ticking every box you want to see ticked.”

The Empire Rose has a glowing recent history for Kiwi-bred mares and Orchestral will aim to join the likes of Icebath, Melody Belle, Shillelagh and I Am A Star as victors in Saturday’s contest, where she will be ridden by Mark Zahra.

In the early TAB New Zealand market, Orchestral is a $5 second-favourite for the Empire Rose, with fellow Savabeel mare Atishu on top at $4.50.

Closer to home on Wednesday, Wellwood will head to Te Aroha with Osteria, aiming to better a quartet of placings so far in his career in the Donaghy’s Uddermax 1200.

The Ribchester three-year-old started his career in the care of Peter and Dawn Williams andwas a part of the talented Barneswood Farm-raced contingent that transferred to James and Wellwood upon their retirement.

“We were very fortunate to get the Barneswood horses from Peter and Dawn, they really liked him and he showed nice ability in the few starts they had him as a two-year-old,” Wellwood said.

“They probably had the same opinion that he was a bit green and needed a bit of ringcraft, but he’s come in lovely order.

“He’s a horse that has done a couple of things wrong, but he’s getting there and has matured a lot physically.

“Apart from a niggly wide draw (9), I really like his chances tomorrow.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

📸: Orchestral is set to contest Saturday’s A$1 million Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. Photo: Natasha Wood (Race Images)

20/10/2024

PROGRESSIVE MARE ON SONG AT ELLERSLIE

By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Progressive mare Arabian Songbird took a step up in grade all in her stride at Ellerslie on Saturday, powering to victory in the Barfoot and Thompson 1600.

The daughter of Pierro commenced her racing career in the care of Peter and Dawn Williams, and following their retirement, entered the stable of Roger James and Robert Wellwood, of whom she made a winning debut for at the venue last month.

Remaining in the hands of jockey Masa Hashizume, Arabian Songbird jumped positively from her wide barrier and found a comfortable position off the fence midfield, with Val Di Zoldo dictating terms off the front.

Drawing wider on the home turn, Arabian Songbird began to wind up and set off to hunt down Val Di Zoldo and Bourbon Empress, scorching home in the final 200m to score by a length to the latter, with Jolted running home well to fill the first three.

James indicated the Cambridge partnership had been on a fact-finding mission the contest, with the performance putting her in good stead for future assignments.

“It was a big jump up in class from her last start and was going to be a test as to where her future lies, it was a good field with well-backed and well-fancied runners,” he said.

“If we could be competitive, that would auger well for her future, and she was able to make that jump and do so impressively.

“Peter said that he rated her early on but then her form deteriorated later in the season, so he put her out to spell.

“We were the lucky ones to get her in lovely order after a long spell.”

Arabian Songbird will remain in Rating 75 company at her next appearance, and beyond that, James is happy to allow until next autumn before entering the pressures of potential stakes racing.

“She’s a filly with a pedigree and obviously when she gets to the right stage in her career, we would be looking for some black-type to make her as a broodmare,” he said.

“I do think she will be up to that but it’s one step at a time at this stage, she’s only had the two runs and is a little while away from that, so it is definitely an autumn assignment.

“While she’s racing well at a mile, I see no point leaving that distance. But, I have no doubt that 2000m will be well within her grasp.”

The four-year-old was bred by Jamieson Park and purchased by Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer of Barneswood Farm for $260,000 at the 2022 National Yearling Sales at Karaka. The owners also race her half-sister Saint Alice, a Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) winner and multiple Group Two-placegetter.

Arabian Songbird’s victory completed a double for James and Wellwood on the card, after winning the Head To Trackside.co.nz 1100 with Sweynesday.

Having just his third race day appearance, Sweynesday was fresh-up since winning his maiden in mid-April and was rated a $4.70 second-favourite behind Tossuforit.

Also ridden by Hashizume, the son of Sweynesse settled into a good rhythm in midfield and was cruising into the straight where Wind Of Change held him off until just prior to the line, where Sweynesday found a closing surge to get over the top by a long head.

“He was ultra-professional and was beautifully ridden yesterday by Masa,” James said.

“We were very happy with him going into this race and his form suggested he would be more than competitive, as he proved.
“Maturity as forced us to do that (be patient), but I think we will reap the benefits. He’s not a big fellow and has a good level of sprinting ability.

“He’ll quite possibly get 1400m, whether he could get a mile is questionable at this stage, but who knows.”

Sweynesday raced in the colours of his owners Falcon Racing, who purchased him for $80,000 out of Pertab Racing’s draft at the 2022 Ready To Run Sale. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

📸: Arabian Songbird winning the Barfoot and Thompson 1600 at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

19/10/2024

Arabian Songbird and Masa Hashizume ring in a double for the team at Ellerslie with a dominant performance in the Barfoot & Thompson 1600m.

Bought by Barneswood Farm Ltd at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2022 Book 1 Sale, she's turning into lovely mare for Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer. Congratulations 👏

19/10/2024

🥂 A great resuming run for Sweynesday at Ellerslie, winning the Head to Trackside.co.nz 1100m to be touted by presenters as 'one to follow this spring'.

Now a winner of two from three starts, congratulations to Falcon Racing and thanks to Masa Hashizume for a well-judged ride.

🎥 https://tinyurl.com/y5max7j8

09/10/2024

❤️ Give a little for Rahul.

Former Champion Indian Jockey Rahul Shinde who with his family call New Zealand home, suffered a major stroke on the way to work at one of the various racing stable jobs on Sunday 11th of August.

Rahul has a big presence in and around the Cambridge Thoroughbred Racing industry with early morning starts at Kingsclere stables, through to working at the Cambridge Training Centre during the day, and weekend work around a number of stables in Cambridge.

Rahul has always been there with a smile on his face doing whatever needs to be done. Now at the tender age of 51 he is facing a long and difficult recovery. Rahul is the main income earner which has created significant financial stress for his wife and children.

We encourage everyone who can, particularly in the Waikato racing community, to get behind Rahul and support his family in the difficult times ahead. Every dollar counts.

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/please-support-former-champion-indian-jockey-rahul?fbclid=IwY2xjawFyoDNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHWBreFp6YhZfaBDZ-DB1LNzKv6p5OBjFg_KxWrvNtwnpJzge67fWM_eK7g_aem_5zCUXiAVU_fW8i9Odb_1ew

Please support former Champion Indian Jockey Rahul Shinde who has suffered a major stroke.

07/10/2024

Congratulations Donavan, it’s fantastic to have you back in the jockey ranks and defying the odds! Inspirational.

Donavan Mansour pictured following his win aboard Mustang Valley at Tauranga on Saturday.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Mansour makes winning return Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk 6 October 2024 Donavan Mansour has defied the odds and has made a winning return to the saddle after a fiv...

07/10/2024

TOORAK TEST FOR ORCHESTRAL

By LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

New Zealand’s darling of the turf Orchestral is set to cross the Tasman this week to tackle the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

The four-year-old daughter of Savabeel had a standout three-year-old term, winning five consecutive races, including the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), Gr.2 Avondale Guineas and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), before heading to Sydney where she won the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and placed in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m).

She made her first public appearance this season at the Taupo trials in August where she placed in her 1100m heat behind Captured By Love and Dream Of The Moon, before heading north to Ellerslie to have her first start as a four-year-old in an Open 1400m where she finished eighth.

Roger James, who trains the mare in partnership with Robert Wellwood, was pleased with what he saw in her resuming run.
“I thought her performance was enormous up there. It’s fair to say that she was asked for a fair bit for her level of fitness,” he said.

“She came through it pretty well, but she has come forward the last week to 10 days.”

Orchestral had an exhibition gallop at Tauranga on Saturday to keep her up to the mark for her looming Melbourne trip, and James was pleased with her work.

“I am very happy,” he said. “I thought that was a sign that we are right on the button for where we want to be.

“All going well, she will be on a plane on Wednesday and run in the Toorak on Saturday.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

📸Orchestral is set to contest the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

21/09/2024

It was great to be back racing at Ellerslie today and with a winner too!

Arabian Songbird took out the last race in excellent style. She was on debut for us having previously been trained by Peter and Dawn Williams.

Congratulations to her owners Barneswood Farm Ltd, Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer and thanks to Masa Hashizume for the winning ride.

Watch the replay here: https://loveracing.nz/Common/SystemTemplates/Modal/Video.aspx?v=http%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202409%2fM2_AUCK_R08_210924.mp4&i=%2fCommon%2fImage.ashx%3fw%3d565%26h%3d314%26a%3d1%26o%3d1%26z%3d1%26bg%3deeeeee%26p%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202409%2fM2_AUCK_R08_210924.jpg&r=Race%208%20-%20SKYCITY%20HORIZON%201500&rs=1

20/09/2024

ORCHESTRAL ON SONG FOR SPRING CAMPAIGN

By LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Saturday will mark the return of racing to Ellerslie Racecourse and last season’s New Zealand Champion Three-Year-Old Orchestral.

The now four-year-old mare is unbeaten at the Auckland track in three starts, winning the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (1600m), and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). She subsequently went on to win the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and finished third in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m).

Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood have been pleased with the way she has returned, and have given her a trial at Taupo and jump-out at Ellerslie in the lead-up to her resuming run in the Almanzor – Proven Value 1400.

The daughter of Savabeel will carry 60.5kg from barrier six, with Craig Grylls aboard, two-kilograms less than Group One winner Campionessa. “It is good to be finally getting her out there and it’s nice to see a horse above her (in the weights). We thought we would be top weight,” Wellwood told Trackside.

“We have been pretty soft on her this spring, she has grown a lot between three and four. She looks a completely different mare now, she has got a big wither, she has probably lengthened out a little bit. She is probably only a frame of what she is going to be in six to 12 months.”

“She had a good jump-out at Ellerslie. We were thinking perhaps heading to the Arrowfield (Gr.1 1600m), but after that jump-out we thought if we tried to get her there we would probably flatten her first-up. That’s the reason she is going to Ellerslie. 1400m and you know you are going to get a good track there. It will bring her forward for her next run.”

Despite being a short-priced $2.20 favourite with TAB bookmakers, Wellwood believes 1400m will be too short for his charge this weekend. “We are going into the weekend pretty happy with her,” he said. “1400m is going to be too short for her, but as long as she is hitting the line well and comes through it well, heading to a mile and further into the prep is where we are hoping to be competitive.”

Australian targets beckon Orchestral post-Saturday, with the Cambridge trainers weighing up between either Sydney or Melbourne. “The two options that we are looking at are the Toorak (Gr.1, 1600m) in Melbourne, which is three weeks post Ellerslie, or four weeks to the Angst Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m), which is a mares’ mile in Sydney.”

Orchestral will be joined in Saturday’s contest by stablemate Sudbina, who is on a path towards New Zealand Cup Week at Riccarton Park in November. “She went nicely in her first run without a trial, so she is going to come along from that well. Her work has been very good and I think the race will suit her,” Wellwood said.
“She is ready to run a race and she is at a light weight (54kg). Whether she has got the class of the top two or three, we are unsure, but she is a nice mare and I think we are going to see her come into a nice race.”

“She has got a nomination for the TAB Mile (Gr.3, 1600m) at Riccarton, so we have got that pencilled in, but we are just going to have to see how she is going. There are a lot of nice races around and there are some good fillies and mares options over Christmas and New Year.”
– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

📸 : Orchestral on song for spring campaign. Photo: Race Images

17/09/2024

Last night on the Guerin Report, plans with our star mare Orchestral were revealed and confirmed. Definitely worth the watch ⬇️

This week on the Guerin Report, Michael is out at the Ellerslie race track to find out what went wrong last season and how it's shaping up for the new season...