Briefs for 13th February 2015

Johnson gets her chance on Rockfast; Little filly standing tall; Injuries side-line Group One sprinter; Step at a time for James’ star.

Johnson gets her chance on Rockfast

Danielle Johnson will have her first raceday ride on Rockfast at Ellerslie on Saturday, but she’s no stranger to the Gr.2 Essilor NZ Avondale Guineas contender.

“She rode him in a trial win at Te Teko and in an exhibition gallop with Darci’s Dream in November,” trainer Jason Bridgman said.

“We’ll get through this race before we commit to a rider for the Derby, but I don’t think we would break a winning combination if that was the case.”

Rockfast has finished runner-up at Group One, Two and at Listed level at his last three appearances and is currently a $12 chance in the TV3 new Zealand Derby market.

Little filly standing tall

Diminutive filly Red Striker is heading for the Gr.3 Mr Tiz Trophy at Ellerslie at the end of the month.

She will return to the scene of her latest triumph after a runaway midweek win when resuming from a break in Rating 75 company.

“This time around we’ve got her to settle and that’s showing,” trainer Jim Collett said. “She’s improving and has matured.”

Injuries side-line Group One sprinter

Stress fractures have ended gun sprinter In Style’s season.

The injuries were revealed by scintigraphy testing following her unplaced run in the Gr.1 Telegraph at Trentham.

“It’s not career-ending, but she’s got a stress fracture in an elbow and early signs of a similar injury in the fetlock of her other leg,” trainer Danica Guy told The Informant.

The Matamata mare won the Gr.1 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie following lead-up successes in the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap and the Listed Counties Bowl.

Step at a time for James’ star

Cambridge trainer Roger James isn’t getting too far ahead of himself with his stable star Silent Achiever.

She begins a new campaign in Saturday’s Gr.2 Apollo Stakes at Randwick and the beginning of a journey that could end in France for the Gr.1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

“Sydney comes first and we’ll sit down and talk about Europe later,” James said.

He has made no further Australian plans for Silent Achiever beyond the Gr.1 Chipping Norton Stakes at Warwick Farm at the end of this month and the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill on March 21.