NZ News Briefs for 14th August 2015

Sardaaj likely to wait; Hale gets another winner Up; Rain to aid Whosyourmaster; Iamishwara sidelined

Sardaaj likely to wait

Former Stephen Marsh-trained filly Sardaaj is entered in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, however an unfavourable barrier of 17 will likely see connections wait for another day before her Australian debut.

The Iffraaj mare was an impressive winner on debut at Ruakaka and was subsequently sold to Rosemont Stud, for whom she posted a win at Te Rapa and placings in the in Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic and Gr.1 Levin Classic before crossing the Tasman.

Now under the tutelage of John, Wayne and Michael Hawkes, Sardaaj has pleased her new trainers thus far.

“She’s a really nice mare but I will suggest to the owners that we don’t run her,” co-trainer John Hawkes said.

“Drawing 17 of 17 makes it very difficult and we don’t want a gut-buster first up.”

“She’ll run in some of the mares races and who knows whether she’ll get to Cox Plate level or some of the better races. She’ll have to go up another notch to what she showed in New Zealand, but she is a nice mare.”

Hale gets another winner Up

Cambridge trainer Shelley Hale produced another smart winner from a family very familiar to her at Avondale on Friday.

A five-year-old on debut Seventh Up, a full brother to multiple stakes winner Thumbs Up and stakes performer Sum Up, is a late arrival to the racetrack but he hinted there is plenty to come.

“He’s a very smart horse by the feel of things,” said rider Craig Grylls.

“He got squeezed up at the start terribly so I was right back but I popped off around the bend and he’s done it pretty comfortably.”

Seventh Up is the seventh foal out of Regelle who has a perfect record at stud having produced seven named foals all winners, four of which are by Shinko King.

Rain to aid Whosyourmaster

Matamata trainer Andrew Scott has no issues with the weather heading into Saturday’s Gr.2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa.

Scott, who trains in partnership with Lance O’Sullivan, will saddle Whosyourmaster for the 1200m feature race.

“He’s going really well. We were pleased with his trial and his work during the week has been spot on,” said Scott.

“The rain is only going to aid his chances and he looked very fit this morning and he will be flying home.”

Iamishwara sidelined

Group One winner Iamishwara has torn a suspensory ligament and will sit on the sidelines throughout the 2015-16 racing season.

The six-year-old won the Gr.1 Haunui Farm WFA Classic at Otaki in February and the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup in March.

“It’s not life-threatening and he’ll make a complete recovery, but he’s been such a good horse to us that we’ll give him the full 12 months off,” said Nicky Kaye, who owns the the gelding in partnership with trainer husband Tony.