Zonza To Visit Pins
Rising six-year-old mare Zonza, who will be served by Pins later this year, is headed toward the Gr.1 Makfi Stakes at Hastings with the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate to follow.
“If she is confirmed in foal and her form is still good we’ll look at some mares’ races in Melbourne for her,” trainer Roger James said.
The news was not so good on another front for James with the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic winner Lady Cumquat likely to join the Darren Weir stable.
“She was in pre-training and ready to come back to the stable and I just heard from the owners that she’s transferring to a Melbourne stable,” he said.
“That’s very disappointing for me as she’s a filly with enormous potential.”
Gillies Claims Title
A late charge from Mathew Gillies at Wednesday’s Rotorua meeting earned him the 2013-14 jumps jockeys’ premiership.
Gillies started the day on 12 winners and one behind Michael Mitchell, but an Arawa Park double on Yippson and Kick Back gave him the title.
Both horses are trained at Wanganui by Kevin Myers with Yippson setting a new track record over 2800 metres.
Stallion Parade To Precede Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale
New Zealand Bloodstock will host a Stallion Parade at Karaka on Friday 1 August, prior to the commencement of the Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale. The parade is open to the public and will start at approximately 10.30am.
The parade has attracted a strong selection of stallions from across New Zealand with a total of 12 stallions on show, including Burgundy, Ferlax, He's Remarkable, Jakkalberry, Jimmy Choux, Niagara Rock 'N' Pop, Rios, Shamoline Warrior, Shocking, Sirocco and Tavistock.
Back To Flat For Amanood Lad
McGregor Grant Steeplechase winner Amanood Lad will enjoy a change of role before tackling his next jumping assignment.
“I’m really happy with him and he’ll have a run on the flat and a school before the Pakuranga Hunt Cup,” trainer Ben Foote said.
A last-start third behind Rioch at Te Rapa, Amanood Lad’s main target is the Meadow Fresh Great Northern Steeplechase on September 6.
Son Of Savabeel Set For Metrop
New Zealand-bred stayer Iggi Pop will be aimed at the Gr.1 Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick in the spring.
A son of Savabeel, he claimed his first stakes success when he outstayed his rivals in the Listed Queensland Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm.
"He'll run in a couple of weeks and then we'll look at the Newcastle Cup and Metropolitan," Segenhoe Stud’s racing manager Bill Mitchell said.
The John Sargent-trained gelding will also be considered for the $500,000 Perth Cup (2400m) in January.
