Family double on the cards

Sir Elmo has an opportunity at New Plymouth on Saturday to complete a notable family double for his connections.

The five-year-old is a half-brother by Spartacus to the midweek Matamata maiden winner Muscat Hills with both horses trained by Karen Fursdon for prominent breeder-owner Kevin Hickman, of Silent Achiever fame.

“They are very similar types so it would be nice,” Fursdon said. “Neither of them are very big, but the pair of them do have a lot of ability.”

Muscat Hills and Sir Elmo are out of the American-bred Swain mare Almadaam and further family success would boost the upcoming Ready to Run Sale prospects of their younger half-brother by Mastercraftsman.

Sir Elmo, who was a juvenile debut winner at New Plymouth, showed the benefit of an unplaced resuming run on the Taranaki circuit in August when he finished a last-start sixth over a mile at Ellerslie earlier this month.

“He was down in the bad stuff and he needs a better track,” Fursdon said. “He’s improved and I’m really very happy with him.”

Sir Elmo will also appreciate the step up to 1800 metres in Saturday’s Powerworx Open Handicap, which will serve as a stepping stone to stakes company.

“I’d like to have a go over 1950 metres at the Listed Rotorua Plate (October 18) with him,” Fursdon said.

She also has another top New Plymouth prospect with the sprinting mare Agent Ziva an in-form candidate for the NZ Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series 1200m.

Already a winner in Rating 85 grade, the Savabeel mare was a bold last-start second on the course behind the talented Sir Darci and looks capable of going one better under Hayden Tinsley.