NZ Briefs for 20th Aug 2015

Guineas target for Brighton; Stratocaster staying put; Eric heads north early; Perfect Harmonee caps winning week for connections.

Guineas target for Brighton

Brighton will be given an early three-year-old chance to add to his black type record.

“He’ll start off in the Wanganui Guineas,” trainer Nigel Tiley said. “He’s working along nicely and it’s not going to take much to get him fit – he wasn’t out for long and he goes well fresh.”

Brighton won the Listed Champagne Stakes last term and he was turned out after a fighting fifth in the Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes in May.

Stratocaster staying put

Stratocaster’s connections have resisted the temptation to bring the Group performer back from a break earlier than planned.

“He’s still spelling – we saw him the other day and he looks amazing,” co-trainer Emma-Lee Browne said.

“We thought we’ll get him back, but we will wait that couple of weeks more. He was battling immaturity issues all last season.”

Stratocaster placed in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas, Gr.3 Sarten Memorial and the Listed Karaka Mile after beating subsequent Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas winner Turn Me Loose in the Guineas Prelude at Hastings in the early spring.

Eric heads north early

Former Grand National Steeplechase winner Eric The Viking has temporarily moved camp to prepare for his next major assignment at Ellerslie.

The 10-year-old finished fifth in his title defence at Riccarton and he has gone north to complete his build-up toward the Meadow Fresh Great Northern Steeplechase on September 5.

“He came back from Christchurch in really good shape,” trainer Aaron Bidlake said. “I wasn’t disappointed in him on the good track and hopefully we will get a wet Ellerslie.

“He’s gone up to Shaun Phelan to do some work and he can take him up the hill at Ann Browne’s place.”

Perfect Harmonee caps winning week for connections

Perfect Harmonee has confirmed a crack at the Listed HS Dyke Guineas on his home track at Wanganui on September 5.

His maiden success at Woodville on Thursday also continued the roll of trainer Paul Belsham and owner Steve Gudsell following the stylish Australian debut win of Start Wondering at Rosehill last weekend.

Belsham, who prepared Start Wondering to win four races before he was sent to Chris Waller, shares in the ownership of Perfect Harmonee with Gudsell.