Weatherley Bloodstock

03/09/2024

PLENTY OF GOSSIP SURROUNDING MATAMATA DEBUTANT

Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

There is plenty of anticipation heading into Matamata’s Wednesday meeting, with local trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley set to unveil exciting filly Gossip.

The daughter of Proisir topped last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Online Yearling Sale when purchased out of Fairdale Stud’s draft by Gary Harding for $110,000, and she is living up to her billing so far, winning both of her trials to date.

She is set to make her debut in the Pam Gerard – Ballymore Racing 1200, for which she is rated a $1.65 favourite by TAB bookmakers ahead of the Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie-trained Shavasana at $5.

“I am looking forward to seeing her run,” Briar Weatherley said.

“It is probably not ideal being on a Heavy track, but she has had two trials now on them and has gone well both times. Hopefully she can get the job done tomorrow.”

Gossip is nominated for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November, and Weatherley said her early spring performances will dictate which path they take with their filly.

“We are going to take it one race at a time with her,” she said. “She is not a very big filly, there is not a lot of her. She is a November foal, so she still lacks a bit of maturity and is on the weaker side.

“She is nominated for the 1000 Guineas, but we will just get through tomorrow and reassess after that. She will tell us whether we press on to those races or put her aside and wait until after Christmas and let her develop.”

A race prior, stablemate It’s Pedro will be out to break maiden ranks when he contests the Waharoa Transport Co. (1995) LTD 1200.

“Two starts ago he ran really well at Pukekohe where he was just beaten on a Heavy track,” Weatherley said.

“Last start at Taupo, I just think the track was too good for him. He finished fifth but he probably just wants it wet, and he is going to get that wet track again tomorrow.

“With a bit of luck, I think he can be right there.”

Meanwhile, Weatherley was happy enough with the way Group Three winner Arby and stakes winner Ess Vee Are competed in their respective 1300m trials at Cambridge Synthetic on Tuesday.

“Arby has trialled twice now and went over a bit further today,” Weatherley said. “He is probably better suited going the other way around. We will look to kick him off over a mile first-up, he is quite a dour stayer. We have no real set plans with him at the moment.

“I am really happy with Ess Vee Are. He has trialled well both times. He put himself right there today and travelled quite keen and was very happy and full of himself.

“We are not 100 percent sure about whether or not we are going to start him over 1400m or a mile first-up. We are waiting for the better tracks for him. Both him and Arby like Good tracks, so we don’t really want to rush to get them out on these bad tracks at the moment. It shouldn’t be long until the weather turns.

“The New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) is his main aim at this stage. It definitely looks a nice race for him, so we will just plot a path to get him to the New Zealand Cup and go from there.”

While both horses could be in for a big spring, Group One-winning stablemate Pier has been ruled out of racing until next year.

“We are scratching our head with him at the moment,” Weatherley said. “He has just had a bit of a niggly issue and at this stage we are going to be putting him aside for three to six months and give him a bit of time again.”

📸 Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

25/08/2024

MALI STON TURNS HEADS WITH FOXBRIDGE RUN

Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

There was a time when Darryn Weatherley wondered if Mali Ston would ever return to a racecourse, but patience and perseverance paid off when the talented gelding kicked off his season with a powerful second in Saturday’s Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m).

The Group Two-winning son of El Roca was underrated in the sprint contest, jumping a $39 chance with Sacred Satono and Skew Wiff as the favoured horses in a competitive running of the Te Rapa feature.

Settling back near the tail throughout the race, Mali Ston tracked the widest turning for home and stormed past all of his rivals bar the winner, Bonny Lass. The sectionals told the story of his effort, with the fastest closing 800, 600, 400 and 200 metres of the field, including the only sub-37 second last 600 in the Heavy9 conditions.

Weatherley, who prepares Mali Ston in partnership with daughter Briar, was thrilled with the effort.

“His run was huge, we would’ve honestly been pleased if he had run home for fourth or fifth, but to run second was really encouraging going forward,” he said.

“His sectionals were the best of the race, so he’s in the right space.”

Mali Ston was partnered by Weatherley’s son Sam, who has been on board for each of his five successes, including the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) of 2022. That victory was followed by a third in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), but Mali Ston then wasn’t seen on a New Zealand racetrack for over 18 months after sustaining a broken pedal bone.

“He’s always shown us a lot of ability and had 18 months off with an injury, and then last prep he was just starting to come back to his normal self in those last couple of runs and went some good, creditable races,” Weatherley said.

“He ran second in the Japan Trophy at his last start of last prep, then we decided to spell him and obviously fresh-up yesterday he’s run very well.

“He’s looking better now than he ever has, he’s been a slow-maturing horse and we were very lucky to get him back, he was 50/50 as to whether he would survive, let alone get back to the racecourse.

“I had a wee tear in the eye watching him go so well behind a very good mare in Bonny Lass, in what has been a time-honoured race.”

Many of the Foxbridge field are now headed towards the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings in a fortnight, but Weatherley indicated Mali Ston will bypass the opening day of the carnival in favour of the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) on September 28.

“We didn’t nominate for the 1400 at Hastings, he doesn’t take a lot of racing so he may have a quiet trial then go down for the mile and hopefully can be competitive in that,” he said.

“We do think he’s a better miler or fast 2000 metre horse, he tends to run better when the race is run strongly and he’s off the bridle and seems to be able to able to come over the top of them.

“He just minds his own business at the back of the field finishing his coffee, then when it’s time to go he can really put in.

“Sam won the Rich Hill Mile on him prior to his injury, so they’ve got a good association and he knows this horse well.

“They just seem to click, Sam leave him alone early and lets him go through his gears. It would be good if we could get a result at Hastings.”

Mali Ston ran in the familiar colours of his breeder-owners Markwood Lodge.

📸 Race Images

25/08/2024

So proud of our boy Alvin running second in the Foxbridge Plate yesterday ❤️🥈

14/08/2024

Very happy to see one of our previous stable favs MATAWAI saluting today in Australia at Sandown.

Congratulations to her connections 🥂

🎥 .com

14/08/2024

The new season is here and we are looking for senior ground staff to come and join our team here in Matamata. If this sounds like you, please get in touch 🐎

01/08/2024

Wishing our wonderful four-legged friends in the southern hemisphere a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂🐴

17/07/2024

VIDEO: Pier was a force amongst his three-year-old crop, winning the NZ 2000 Guineas before a disappointing campaign the following season. Co-trainer Darryn Weatherley believes he's on top of his issues and has him right where he needs to be spring.

• NZ Racing News

Pier was a force amongst his three-year-old crop, winning the NZ 2000 Guineas before a disappointing campaign the following season. Co-trainer Darryn Weather...

01/07/2024

We have weekend ground staff positions available to come join our small team of horses here in Matamata.

Contact Weatherley Bloodstock on 0272650852 or our page for more information. 🐎

04/06/2024

Very proud 💙

Congratulations to Sam Weatherley who brought up his 400th win on his birthday yesterday with a winning treble at Te Aroha 🤩

The milestone win was his first win of the day aboard Stephen Marsh-trained Hula Beat. Sam also won aboard Pier trained by his father Darryn and sister Briar Weatherley, before rounding out the perfect day on Shelley Hale-trained Talentoso 🙌

03/06/2024

PIER BACK WITH A VENGEANCE AT TE AROHA

Kevin Robertson, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Former quality three-year-old Pier made a welcome return to racing at Te Aroha on Monday when he strode to an impressive first-up victory in an open 1300m contest.

The strapping son of outstanding Rich Hill Stud stallion Proisir hadn’t been seen since finishing sixth in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stakes (1600m) at Hastings last September, and has subsequently been rehabilitating a cannon bone issue.

Prepared by the father-and-daughter training partnership of Darryn and Briar Weatherley, the now four-year-old warmed up for his assignment with a comfortable victory over 1000m at the Te Aroha trials last month.

Rider Sam Weatherley allowed the gelding to find his feet at the rear of the field and was still back a clear last with 600m to travel.

Pier looped the field rounding the home bend and once he found clear air out widest on the track, he unleashed a powerful sprint that carried him to a convincing one length victory over Dusty Road who fought on bravely after making the pace throughout and Fonteyn who stuck well for third.

Weatherley was delighted with the result, although his first reaction was one of relief.

“A big sigh of relief and very happy to see him do that,” he said.

“The big question mark for me was the track, which was more testing than we would have liked, but like a good horse he copped everything that was thrown at him and still got the job done.

“I also thought he may be one run short, but those really top athletes just have that ability to give their best even when not everything is in their favour and he showed that today.”

Weatherley has always held the highest opinion of his charge and that hasn’t changed over the past year.

“It has been a real exercise in patience as he had that niggly problem and we had to give him a good break,” he said.

“We did everything we were told and his x-rays since then have been very good.

“He handled his trial well, so we pressed on and now he has had this race I’m going to tip him out again and get ready for the spring.

“This will have topped up his confidence as it has certainly done it for me, so now I can’t wait to get him back in and have him show people just how good he is.”

Bred by Weatherley and his wife Lou, along with long-time friend Barry Wright, and raced in partnership by the trio and leviathan Australian-based owner Ozzie Kheir, Pier has now won four of his 10 starts and more than $473,000 in prizemoney.

📸 Kenton Wright (Race Images)

03/06/2024

16/05/2024

QUEENSLAND HIT-AND-RUN MISSION POSSIBLE FOR PIER

Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

It may have taken until the tail end of his four-year-old season, but Darryn Weatherley believes his Group One winner Pier has finally furnished into a mature racehorse.

The son of Proisir was a standout three-year-old last term, winning the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), and placed in the Listed El Roca - Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m).

He then had one start in Australia in the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill where he pulled up sore, which curtailed his campaign.

Returning in the spring as a four-year-old, Pier failed to flatter when taking on weight-for-age, finishing unplaced in his three assignments, and has had a lengthy spell since his last run in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings in September.

“He had a couple of niggly issues, and it was more growing pains than anything, but it forced us to go to the paddock,” Weatherley said.

Weatherley, who trains Pier in partnership with his daughter Briar, has been rapt with the way he has returned, which was showcased at the Te Aroha trials on Thursday where he comfortably won his 1000m heat on the Heavy8 track.

“He trialled well, I am really pleased,” said Weatherley, who also co-bred and co-owns the gelding.

“He had been out for several months, so I was a little bit concerned about the heavy track and the 1000m, I would have preferred 800m on a better track. But he got through his work nicely, I am very pleased with how he is going.”

Pier may return to Te Aroha in a few weeks’ time for a first-up run, which will determine whether Weatherley presses on with his charge towards a hit-and-run mission on the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm next month.

“He has got a nomination for the Stradbroke, but that is all pie in the sky stuff at the moment,” Weatherley said. “He may have a run at Te Aroha if the track isn’t too bad in three weeks’ time and then reassess if we have a hit-and-run at something like the Stradbroke.

“If he happened to win by panels, you would consider it, or we might put him out for a short break and then prepare him for the spring.”

While Pier’s autumn and spring preparations were hampered last year, Weatherley said he has returned a fully mature horse and he is excited to see what he can do on the track.

“He has certainly improved this time in,” he said. “Hindsight is a great thing, when he went out he was 484kg, which was the same weight he had won the 2000 Guineas a year earlier. I put him on the scales yesterday and he was 528kg. He has certainly grown with his break and improved, and I think he is only getting better.

“It was frustrating that he has had his little niggly issues, but they haven’t been career threatening by any means and I think it is more the point of just being immature.

“There’s that famous saying of Bart Cummings that we all know – the cheapest and least used thing is time.

“Because he came out all guns blazing as a three-year-old you press on, and we won a Hawke’s Bay Guineas and a 2000 Guineas, but I think as four-year-old he was like a kid that has been thrown into the first XV a year too soon, and now he has caught up with himself.

“He looks a different horse, he has matured and he is exciting going forward.”

Weatherley is also excited about the prospects of Proisir juvenile filly Gossip, who also won her 1000m heat at Te Aroha.

She was purchased out of Fairdale Stud’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Online Yearling Sale draft by her owner Gary Harding for $110,000, and has impressed Weatherley with what she has shown to date.

“1000m on a heavy track wasn’t ideal, but she did her work nicely and she has pulled up well and will go out on a winning note,” Weatherley said.

“She has shown us plenty at home and she has got a great temperament. She will go out now for a short break and then she will come back and prepare for the early three-year-old fillies races and hopefully go through for the Filly of the Year series.”

📸 Race Images South

23/04/2024

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This filly is out of the stakes performed Fastnet Rock mare Roc De Chine who has already produced the 5-time winner Roccia. She is from a wonderfully deep pedigree which very active in Australia and includes recent Gr.1 Coolmore Stud winner Ozzmosis, Gr.1 Caulfied Guineas winner Griff, and Gr.2 Bobbie Lewis winner Star Patrol.

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This is "Contributer - Roc De Chine" by Mapperley Stud on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

04/04/2024

CONSISTENT ARBY CHASING GOLD CUP WIN

By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

A year after his triumph in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m), classy four-year-old Arby will chase another feature on Manawatu’s feature day, the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m).

A son of Proisir, Arby has established a consistent record while often in the best of company this season, with top-five finishes in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m), Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m), and Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m).

Matamata-based training partnership Darryn and Briar Weatherley were given a vote of confidence when the gelding flashed home to narrowly finish runner-up to The Mighty Spar in the South Waikato Cup (2000m) on March 13, and Darryn’s son Sam will retain the ride on Saturday.

“He’s trained on really well from his last run, we’re very happy with his work and the way he’s looking,” Darryn Weatherley said.

“His run at Matamata was really good, probably made look even better with the rail out as far as it was, and the 2000m there is quite short. He’s a horse that gets back, and he found the line really well against the pattern.”

Arby showed his powerful staying ability in the feature three-year-old event which was held at Awapuni, and Weatherley indicated the son of Proisir would relish the relocation to Trentham for this year’s meeting.

“We’re really looking forward to Saturday with the big, roomy track down at Trentham as well as the long straight,” he said.

“We’re crossing our fingers, but I’m sure he’ll run a race.”

The Weatherleys will also be represented by Dark Destroyer, a highly-talented galloper with the 2022 edition of the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) to his name, alongside a string of black-type performances on either side of the Tasman.

Another progeny of Proisir, Dark Destroyer joined the Weatherley stable this season, recording two fifth-placed efforts in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) from his three race-day appearances.

Leading Central Districts jockey Lisa Allpress was aboard in his Tarzino triumph and will take the reins when the five-year-old jumps from barrier eight.

“He’s probably the class horse of the field on what he’s achieved so far in his career,” Weatherley said.

“Our horse that ran second (Mali Ston) just kept him in a bit of a pocket at a vital stage in the Japan Trophy, he needed to be rolling forward when he got held up. For him to run fifth on a bog of a track, it was a pretty nice effort.

“He’s probably better suited to a bit of cut in the track, so if they get the rain at Wellington, he would come right into contention.

“The set weights and penalties suit him down to the ground, he’ll only carry 55kg where in a normal handicap he would be carrying 60kg or more. He’s well placed and I think the 2100m will suit him as well.”

📸 Grant Peters, Race Images

08/03/2024

In this week's edition of Dunstan HorseFeeds Meet the Breeder, we chat with Lou Weatherley, who along with husband Darryn and good friend Barry Wright, have enjoyed incredible success from their mare,

04/03/2024

MARIA FARINA SHINES IN KING'S PLATE

Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Underrated mare Maria Farina outsprinted several of the country’s top gallopers to secure Saturday’s Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie.

The daughter of Contributer has flown relatively under the radar this season, despite having accumulated six career victories, including the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m), and Listed Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) during New Zealand Cup Week in November.

Maria Farina lined up in both the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) and Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) over the summer months with regular pilot Sam Weatherley aboard, and despite finishing sixth and fifth respectively, her sizzling sectionals in the latter indicated the best was yet to come.

Prepared by Weatherley’s father Darryn and sister Briar, the mare contested a quality six-horse line-up in the King’s Plate, which included Telegraph winner Mercurial, as well as Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) victor Bonny Lass, who started a warm $2.50 TAB favourite.

Jumping from barrier three, Weatherley settled Maria Farina near the tail of the field, avoiding early carnage up-front as Mercurial was badly checked when trying to slot inside of pacemaker Not Guilty. Weatherley sat ice-cold in behind Bonny Lass as the field descended down the straight, and when the gap came at the 150m, Maria Farina showed a devastating turn-of-foot to the post, though not without a few nervous moments for connections as Dragon Leap scorched down the outside to force a photo-finish.

The unorthodox mare pulled herself up shortly after the line, delight soon appearing on Weatherley’s face as the judge confirmed Maria Farina had triumphed in the $150,000 event by the narrowest of margins.

The 24-year-old hoop had won the previous race aboard Dame Lilibic, and indicated quiet confidence in Maria Farina, that was duly rewarded.

“I have no doubt in saying it, she should’ve won the Telegraph, and on her day, I think she’s nearly the fastest horse in the country,” Sam Weatherley said.

“She’s just so difficult to ride, you’ve got to hold and hold her up. It didn’t go to plan early, but it was probably the right way to ride her, just sit back and bide my time. When we burst through, on any other horse you’d think you’re home and hosed, but she has a bit of a tendency to pull up.

“I’m just so thrilled for the family, she really deserves a big one and if we can keep going, there’s a chance she might.”

Darryn was full of compliments for his son post-race.

“I think Sam’s been watching the tapes, that was a 10 out of 10 ride,” he said.

“She’s been consistent all year round and really deserves it, we own half of her which is really good, just a beautiful result.

“My feed merchant will sleep well tonight I’m picking.”

The Weatherley’s bred the mare alongside part-owner Barry Wright, the combination also breeding her half-brother, last-season’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Pier, both being out of La Vitesse.

Darryn indicated Wright was hoping to test Maria Farina over 1600m, with the ultimate goal being the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha on March 30.

“We were looking at going to a 1400m at Tauranga in a few weeks’ time, and just hoping to throw the anchor out to get her to a mile in the fillies’ and mares’ weight-for-age,” he said.

“My partner (owner, Barry Wright) has always wanted to try her at a mile, whether he’s right I’m not sure but we’ll have a crack.”

Daughter Briar also painted an emotional picture in the birdcage.

“This mare means everything to me, sometimes you just need that one horse that gets you out of bed in the morning, and for me, that’s her,” she said.

“She’s been unlucky all preparation, and she so deserved this win. I’m absolutely thrilled.”

Maria Farina has now earned more than $386,000 in stakes, and has a pedigree the Weatherleys hope can continue to perform after purchasing a closely-related Hello Youmzain c**t out of Jamieson Park’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2024.

📸 Kenton Wright (Race Images)

03/03/2024

A well deserved & very special WIN for our girl ❤️🖤

28/01/2024

SOLD

Lot 276 - Hello Youmzain - O’Naturelle C**t purchased for $220,000 from Jamieson Park.

50% Available

Contact the team for more information.
📞 Darryn 027 447 0985
📞 Briar 027 310 0714
💻 [email protected]

24/01/2024

A very exciting week for the WB team as we get closer to Karaka Million night 🤩 Good luck to our longtime friends & owners the Clothier Family 💛💙

The fields are in for the newly established $1M Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic open 4YO race on Karaka Million night 🤩

Who is your pick to take out the inaugural running? 🏇

24/01/2024

What a time to be involved or to get involved in New Zealand Racing. Parades are commencing at Karaka and Darryn & Briar are on the look out for their next stable stars.

Don’t hesitate to contact either Darryn or Briar to register your interest.

📲 Darryn Weatherley +64 27 447 0985
📲 Briar Weatherley +64 27 310 0714
💻 [email protected]

Pictured is ARBY who will be competing in the $1m Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic this Saturday at Ellerslie! 🐎

23/01/2024

$4.5million, Ellerslie Racecourse, 2025. The Southern Hemisphere's richest 3YO race is here 🔥

22/01/2024

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON 🤩

17/01/2024

Nicole Troost Photographer capturing the special moments 🥰 🐎

31/12/2023

WEATHERLEYS HAVE LIGHTWEIGHT CHANCES IN NEW YEARS FEATURES

By LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Matamata trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley will head to Pukekohe on New Year’s Day with three live lightweight chances in Group races.
Dual stakes winner Maria Farina will carry 54kg under the set weights and penalties conditions of the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m), Ess Vee Are has the equal bottom weight of 53kg in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m), while his half-brother Arby will carry just 52kg in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m).

Maria Farina (NZ) (Contributer) has won twice at black-type level within the last nine months, capturing the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham in March and adding the Gr.3 Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) with a brilliant late burst at Riccarton on November 18.
That was the most recent raceday appearance for the six-year-old Contributer mare, who has pleased Darryn Weatherley with her progress in the six weeks since. However, Weatherley is less optimistic about the Pukekohe track, which was rated a Soft7 on Saturday afternoon.
“Maria Farina is really bright and well,” he said. “If we were running on a Good4 track on New Year’s Day, I would be liking our chances in the Railway. Unfortunately, that’s not going to be the case.
“She’s run a few times on rain-affected ground in her career and has been a bit of a duff, so that’s not filling us with confidence. It’s a big concern.”
Four of Maria Farina’s six career wins have come on Good tracks. She has won once on synthetic, while her Lightning Handicap success came on an improving Soft7 track at Trentham where the time was 1:09.69 for 1200m.
She has picked up just one third placing from her other five starts on soft ground, and she was unplaced in her only attempt on heavy.

Stablemate Ess Vee Are (NZ) (Shocking) failed to fire in two starts in Victoria in September, but he made an encouraging return with a big finish from third-last to be runner-up in a 2100m open handicap at Pukekohe on December 9. That race was won by Terra Mitica, who is again among his opposition in Monday’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
“He’d gone quite some time between runs since getting back from his Australian campaign, so we were really happy with that performance at Pukekohe,” Weatherley said. “He was helped by a strong tempo in the race, which he may not necessarily get again in that small field on Monday. But he found the line very well and has gone the right way since then.”
The step up to 2400m holds no fears for Ess Vee Are, who was a winner over 2600m in the Listed New Zealand St Leger in March.

Arby (NZ) (Proisir) is moving up into open class after an eye-catching second in Rating 75 grade on December 9. The four-year-old was blocked in the straight that day before flashing home into second, a short neck behind Flamebird. The highly rated Adam I Am was just behind him in third.
“Without taking anything away from the winner, Arby was probably unlucky not to win that race,” Weatherley said. “It was a performance that proved to us that he deserves a shot at a good race like the Rich Hill Mile.
“He’s a big horse, almost 600 kilos, so he’s barely going to notice Ashvin (Goindasamy) on his back with 52kg. We think he could be a nice lightweight chance.”
Arby will attempt to deliver a second Rich Hill Mile title in three years for the Weatherleys, who won the race with Mali Ston in 2022.

📸 Peter Rubery, Race Images

06/12/2023

WEATHERLEYS HOPING TO COMMENCE CUPS PATH AT PUKEKOHE

Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Black-type winning stayer Ess Vee Are will return to New Zealand tracks on Saturday at Pukekohe, with trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley hoping to commence a path towards key Cup races this summer.

The son of Shocking featured among the most promising stayers last season when placing behind Aquacade in the Dunstan Feeds Stayers Championship Final (2400m), and was duly rewarded for his consistency when claiming the Listed New Zealand St Leger (2600m) at Trentham in March.

Darryn’s son Sam guided Ess Vee Are to his black-type victory and will be back in the saddle when the five-year-old contests the Dunstan Horsefeeds Championship Qualifier (2100m) this weekend.

“He’s doing well. He could be a little bit vulnerable not having run for some time and going into a 2100m, but his work has been satisfactory and we’re happy with him,” Darryn Weatherley said.

The Weatherleys had sent Ess Vee Are to Australia in search of further spoils this spring, however, the unsuitable tempo saw him unable to show his staying prowess across the Tasman.

“I felt in Aussie things just didn’t go his way, he didn’t settle or eat that well,” Weatherley said.

“His two runs, although they looked ordinary on paper, when you went through the sectionals he ran pretty good races. The staying races in Australia are run a bit differently to ours, they go quite hard early, pull them up to go slowly in the mid-stages and sprint on the corner.

“They cantered around then sprint home in 34 seconds, he can’t possibly run home in 31 from the back and that’s what he’d have to do to beat them. They weren’t terrible runs even though he got no chocolates.

“His best runs have been when the speed has been on throughout the race. When he won the St Leger, Sagunto was a strong leader so there was genuine pace. Ess Vee Are just keeps chipping away and gets over the top of them.”

Turning their focus to a new preparation, the five-year-old’s performance on Saturday will determine whether they look to the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth ll Cup (2400m) on New Year’s Day and the Gr.3 NZ Campus For Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) later in January.

“Those are high up in our plans, but obviously he’s got to go well enough on Saturday to warrant those plans continuing,” Weatherley said.

Arby, a younger half-brother to stablemate Ess Vee Are, will also resume at Pukekohe in the Stella Artois Championship Qualifier (1400m), after culminating his three-year-old campaign with a midfield finish in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m).

Prior to his one-run Australian stint, the son of Proisir had produced an impressive victory under Sam Weatherley in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2000m), while also weighing in on two other occasions at black-type level at three.

“His work has been really good, his trials have been nice and he’ll go a really honest race on Saturday,” Weatherley said.

“I’m not saying he can win it, but he’ll go nicely fresh and without earmarking anything in particular, there’s some really nice races over summer for him, if he comes up.

“He’s drawn a nice alley (1) so he’ll probably end up midfield or a space or two beyond that.

“With both runners we’re hoping the track dries up a bit, it’s a Heavy8 at the moment (Wednesday) and we’re hoping it’ll come back to a Soft6 or better. If Arby is hitting the line strong, we’ll be happy.”

📸 Kenton Wright (Race Images)