Kisses set for Group assignments; Benner targets Classic for Vespa; Death of Group One stallion Johar; Winning omen for Greene?.

Kisses set for Group assignments

Cambridge mare Kisses has consecutive Group Two assignments on her immediate programme.

“She’ll go to Avondale next for the fillies and mares race and three weeks later on to the mile at Te Rapa,” co-trainer Mark Fraser-Campin said.

The NRM/Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes will be contested on November 22 and the Cal Isuzu Stakes on December 13.

Kisses ran the Group One winner Puccini to a short head in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap at Trentham last time out.

Benner targets Classic for Vespa

Johno Benner has his sights set on a Group One feature at Trentham with last season’s champion juvenile Vespa.

The Otaki trainer said he planned to give the colt one lead-up outing before the Levin Classic on January 17.

Vespa is currently enjoying a break after his return from a frustrating campaign in Melbourne where he suffered severe interference when sixth in the Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude and was then unplaced in the Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes.

Benner was unhappy with Craig Williams’ front-running tactics at Flemington and remains convinced Vespa can run a mile.

“I’m pretty confident he can when he’s ridden right,” he said.

Death of Group One stallion Johar

A paddock accident has claimed the life of the former New Zealand shuttle stallion Johar.

A dual Group One winner in the United States, he spent two seasons at Highview Stud with the Gr.1 Telegraph Handicap winner Guiseppina his leading representative.

The 15-year-old Johar was a son of Gone West and will be buried alongside his sire at Mill Ridge Farm in Kentucky.

Winning omen for Greene?

David Greene is hoping Stolen Dance’s first-up win on Wednesday is a forerunner to further three-year-old success at the weekend.

The Te Rapa trainer was buoyed by his debutant’s victory at Matamata ahead of stablemate Dramatist’s tilt at Saturday’s Gr.1 NZB 1000 Guineas at Riccarton.

Stolen Dance was well-supported on the strength of a lead-up trial win and she finished off strongly under Lynsey Satherley to win her maiden 1200 going away.