The latest in horse racing new from New Zealand.
Spellbinder back to stable life
Group One performer Spellbinder has returned to Jason Bridgman’s yard to begin her build-up toward a return to racing.
“She came back on Monday after a good spell and she’s just a great athlete – that’s her real attribute,” Te Akau stable manager Jeff Dore said.
“She’s got a big frame, although she hasn’t been that robust, but she’s a darling of a filly with a great temperament. You wouldn’t find a sweeter horse.”
Spellbinder is a dual black type winner after her wins at Listed level in the Soliloquy Stakes and the Karaka Mile.
She also finished third behind stablemate Costa Viva in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas and was placed in both the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic and the Gr.3 Sarten Memorial.
Man Down a bright winter hope
Promising wet-weather galloper Man Down will make his next appearance at Ellerslie on Saturday week.
The Testa Rossa gelding closed off late to run fifth behind the smart Adepto on debut and then won over 1400 metres at Te Aroha.
“He was pretty impressive the other day,” trainer Nigel Tiley said. “He’ll get up over more ground and he loves wet tracks.
“I’m looking at a three-year-old race over 1600 metres at Ellerslie for him or there’s a Rating 65 the same day if that other race is a bit too strong.”
Tiley will have a handy team in work over the coming months with Brian’s Honour, who won six races in Australia, and Sono Veloce, who has a win and two placings from three appearances, prominent among them.
“Brian’s Honour is a good winter galloper and he’s still well-placed in handicaps while Sono Veloce’s run for fourth the other day was very good,” Tiley said.
“He ran into a smart horse (Allez Eagle) and the other two (Regatta and Fast Learner) aren’t bad either.”
Katie’s Cove impresses in trackwork
Cambridge filly Katie’s Cove produced a strong gallop on Tuesday morning ahead of Saturday’s Randwick meeting, where she will be on trial for a trip to Brisbane.
Trainer Roger James is aiming the daughter of Zabeel at the Listed Daybreak Lover (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 7 after Saturday’s Benchmark 80 handicap for the three-year-olds over 1400 metres.
Katie’s Cove worked on the course proper on Tuesday and was given an easy time early before clocking her last 600 metres in 39.8 seconds and last 200 in 12.2.
She kicked off her current preparation with consecutive wins at Matamata and Avondale before she finished strongly to run second in the Gr.3 Hawkesbury Guineas earlier this month.
