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Wexford chasing further juvenile spoils

Key team members behind Secret Spirit's Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes success will chase further juvenile success at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Secret Spirit winning the G.Thomson Great Nthn Foal Stks
Secret Spirit winning the G.Thomson Great Nthn Foal Stks Picture: Trish Dunell

Matamata trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott produced the promising Swiss Ace filly to win last month's black type feature at Ellerslie under Danielle Johnson and the Wexford Stables partnership has again engaged the Pukekohe jockey for Landed Gentry in Saturday's Cal Isuzu 1200 at Te Rapa.

"Danielle is chasing her first premiership and it's nice to be able to help her out," Scott said.

Johnson, nine wins behind premiership leader Matt Cameron after racing on Thursday, was aboard the Bachelor Duke gelding Landed Gentry when he finished fourth at Ruakaka last month, his first run since finishing third to subsequent stakes winner Windborne on debut at Ellerslie last October.

"It was encouraging. He went into that race as a horse that would improve," Scott said.

"It was a hotly-run race. He settled midfield and couldn't make any ground. They ran 800m in 45 seconds and ran home (their last 600m) in 33 seconds and change.

"He was still a bit new, but he will improve with the experience and with race fitness. He's up against some promising horses, but we're confident he'll run well."

Landed Gentry comes up against two-race winner Lamarosa, seven-length trial winner Animator, twice-placed Del Rios, and other trial winners Roc Me, Money Trail and Katie's So Cool.

O'Sullivan and Scott will also produce Fitsandgiggles in the same race, with stable apprentice Brendan Hutton to ride.

Scott reported that Secret Spirit had enjoyed a break since her Foal Stakes win and she had returned to training ahead of a tilt at next month's Listed Ryder Stakes at Otaki.

Group One-placed sprinter Whosyourmaster has also returned to training with his initial target the Gr.3 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa in August.


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