NZ Briefs for 13th May 2016

Secret Spirit back on track; One more preparation for Group winner; Zacinto’s service fee rises

Secret Spirit back on track

Group-winning filly Secret Spirit is back in work following surgery.

The Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Swiss Ace filly underwent an operation to remove bone chips from both her front fetlocks after she was unplaced in the Gr.1 NZ 1000 Guineas at Riccarton last spring.

Secret Spirit won four straight stakes races last year, putting together wins in the Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes at Ellerslie, the Listed Ryder Stakes at Otaki, the Listed O'Leary Fillies Stakes at Wanganui and the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie.

"She's been back in work the last two weeks and we're very happy with her," syndicate manager Adrian Clark said.

One more preparation for Group winner

Talented mare Abidewithme will return for a final campaign next season.

“She’s gone for a break and our understanding is that she will come back into work and race on in foal,” co-trainer Jamie Richards said.

Raced by her breeders Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, the Redoute’s Choice mare has won eight races including the Gr.2 Travis Stakes and she has also placed in two Group One editions of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes.

Abidewithme’s promising younger stablemate Hall Of Fame has also been turned out following his last-start win at Pukekohe.

“We believe he’s a Guineas colt and he’ll be back in early June and geared up for a big spring,” Richards said.

Zacinto’s service fee rises

Inglewood Stud has announced a significant increase in Zacinto’s service fee for 2016.

The son of Dansili will stand at $10,000 + GST, up from the $4500 he has been available for in his first four seasons.

The rise comes off the back of a recent Listed double from Zacinto’s first-crop representatives Ugo Foscolo and Zig Zag.

“The phone has been going crazy since the weekend, we would have taken 30 or more bookings in a matter of days and with the announcement of his fee we’ll be in a position to confirm his book,” studmaster Gus Wigley said.