NZ HARNESS NEWS
Vincent’s book full and closed
Co-promoters Alabar Stud and Nevele R Stud announced this week that their first-season sire Vincent had a full book.
The recently-retired son of Art Major, a winner of last season’s Auckland Cup, was dubbed ‘The Equine Masterpiece’ in promotional material and it obviously resonated with breeders on both sides of the ditch.
“We’re obviously thrilled with the response Vincent has received but I can’t really say that we’re surprised,” said Alabar New Zealand head, Graeme Henley.
“He’s just a beautiful horse who had so much respect as a racehorse. We were confident he’d do well.
No Aussie trip for Dream About Me
A potential trip to Victoria for next month’s Victoria Cup has been iced for star Canterbury mare Dream About Me.
Her co-trainer, Mark Purdon, confirmed this week that only stablemate Thefixer was aiming towards the A$200,000 time-honoured classic at Melton on October 13.
And while she misses Friday night’s $30,000 New Brighton Cup at Addington, he expects her to be at Oamaru next Sunday for the $30,000 Hannon Memorial.
“Dream About Me won’t be going to Australia but she should be ready for the Hannon next Sunday,” he said on the stable’s website.
“She worked up good on Tuesday and seems right up to her game.
“It took her a couple of days to recover from her last race, so we will keep her at home.
“Thefixer wouldn’t have to win the New Brighton Cup to head over to the Victoria Cup but you would like to think he would going into the race as you have to be at your best over there.”
Purdon also noted that recent stable newcomer, and recent Len Smith Mile winner in Sydney, Cruz Bromac, had arrived at he and Natalie Rasmussen’s Rolleston stable, but he was behind schedule for a New Zealand Cup tilt.
“When Dean Braun had him he wanted to send him over for the Auckland Cup because he is a better horse right-handed, so that is a later option that will appeal to us if the New Zealand Cup is too soon.”
Butt acquires new star, NZ Cup possible
Sydney-based New Zealand trainer Tim Butt has taken possession of richly-talented Australian pacer Bettermatch, a winner of 10 of 12 starts to date and destined for the elite level.
The six-year-old Kenneth J entire is nominated for the $800,000 New Zealand Cup at Addington on November 13.
“I’m not sure if he’ll be ready for the New Zealand Cup but we’ll know more after he starts,” said Butt.
“I thought he might have been a little more forward in condition but maybe that’s him. We’re still learning and working him out.”
Whether or not he makes it to Addington, Butt is just thrilled to have in the barn alongside established open class stars My Field Marshal and Let It Ride.
“I think he’s a very talented type; his record proves that and his victory three starts ago at Menangle in 1:51.3 was extraordinary,” said Butt.
Next race set for Lazarus
Champion pacer Lazarus has obviously bounced back from his recent virus.
His trainer, Jimmy Takter, has nominated him for a C$34,000 Preferred Pace on the undercard of Mohawk’s $2 Million race night on Saturday (local time).
He was defeated but not disgraced when running second to McWicked on the same track at his last start, in September 1’s C$600,000 Canadian Derby.
Takter noted subsequent to that start that tests showed he was suffering from a virus.
Lazarus’ next target is the US$175,000 Hoosier Park Derby in Indiana on September 21.
- NZ Harness News
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