Well-bred Sebrose to chase staying features

Sebrose has returned to New Zealand with a long-term Group One mission in mind.

The six-year-old has transferred to Te Akau’s Matamata operation after a successful career in Singapore under Mark Walker’s guidance.

A son of Bramble Rose who won the 2003 Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks when trained by Olympic star Sir Mark Todd, Sebrose has been identified as an ideal candidate for top-flight honours here next autumn.

“He came back four weeks ago and had a couple of weeks in the paddock and he’s just started to trot and canter now,” said Jamie Richards, who will prepare the Sebring gelding for his Kiwi campaign with Stephen Autridge.

“He’s looking great and he’s a real staying type of horse and there’s not enough longer distance races for him in Singapore.

“We’ll feel our way with him and target a race like the Auckland Cup.”

Sebrose won five of his 23 starts for Walker and also finished fifth in the Singapore Derby and fourth in the Singapore Gold Cup.

“He’s going to take a little while to acclimatise back in New Zealand so he will be having a light spring,” Richards said.

“We’ll probably give him a quiet trial or two to see how he’s coming up and we will be having a chat with Mark and using his knowledge of the horse to help us along.

“We’ll wait and see how he does and then we’ll make some more serious plans for the autumn. It’s quite exciting to have him back in New Zealand.”