Briefs for 27th October 2014

Guineas start in the balance; Spalato tops in McDonald’s book; Thorndon target for Kawi; War Affair on target for Triple Crown

Guineas start in the balance

Peter Williams has yet to commit to a start in next month’s Gr.1 NZB 1000 Guineas with the richly-bred Vavasour.

The Byerley Park trainer wasn’t getting carried away following the three-year-old’s runaway maiden victory at Te Rapa on Monday.

“I’ll talk to the owners, but I’m not making any rash decisions at the moment – it’s a 50-50 call,” said Williams, who prepares Vavasour with his wife Dawn.

A daughter of Redoute’s Choice and the Group Three-winning Red Ransom mare Valpolicella, she was a $425,000 Karaka purchase for owners Ger Beemsterboer and Sarah Green.

They have previously enjoyed Guineas success at Christchurch with the Williams-trained NZB Filly of the Year Planet Rock.

Spalato tops in McDonald’s book

James McDonald has labelled the unbeaten New Zealand-bred Spalato as being “up there with the very best” he has ridden after guiding the Singapore star to victory in the Lucerne Cup at Kranji.

The New Zealand rider was deputising on Sunday night on the son of Elusive City after Manoel Nunes was stood down with an injured wrist.

“I couldn’t believe my luck when I was told I would ride him as I’ve heard how good he was before,” McDonald said.

“He’s a superstar horse and I’m sure he’ll represent Singapore with flying colours wherever he goes.

“He will still have a lot to learn when he races in elite company, but he’s a special horse and he’s definitely up there with the best I’ve ridden.”

Trainer John O’Hara has Hong Kong in his sights with Spalato with the Gr.2 Jockey Club Sprint on November 23 and the Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint on December 14 the intended targets.

Thorndon target for Kawi

Taranaki trainer Allan Sharrock has a Group One goal for the gifted four-year-old Kawi.

He produced the son of Savabeel for an impressive first-up win at Trentham on Saturday and has a bigger Wellington prize in mind next year

Sharrock said the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile would be the horse’s main target this preparation.

Kawi has four wins and three placings from his eight appearances and he successfully resumed with a 1200 metre defeat of Mighty Solomon, who defeated another weekend winner in Cosmic Cube at his previous start.

War Affair on target for Triple Crown

O’Reilly’s son War Affair remains on target to complete the Singapore grand slam.

The New Zealand-bred followed up his Gr.1 Kranji Mile victory with a four and three-quarter length romp in Sunday night’s Gr.1 Raffles Cup with the Gr.1 Singapore Gold Cup is next on his list.

“I’m just so very excited now. I didn’t think he would win by such a big margin, but that only tells us what we know already, he’s a very good horse,” trainer Alwin Tan said.

“I wasn’t too worried when he was three wide in the back straight as he did the same in the Kranji Mile and I know he will run on in the home straight.

“I knew he would hit the front at the 300 and then up the straight he always does his best. What a fantastic horse.”

Tan is confident War Affair will stay the cup trip of 2200 metres, though he does have concerns about the weight.

“I’m worried even if he gets 58kgs, but we’ll see how much the handicapper gives him,” Tan said.