In Slipper contention
Godolphin's Destination (Exceed And Excel) is in the G1 Golden Slipper S. frame after a debut win at Kembla Grange.
He coasted to victory in Saturday's Marty Christie & Crammy 198 Breakfast Show H. at the expense of Galactic Fury (Street Boss {USA}).
Trainer James Cummings opted for blinkers for the colt's racing debut after his third and second in his two trials.
"He's a very laid-back type of colt," stable representative Darren Beadman said. "You've really got the race half-won going into it when they've got a nature like that.
"James elected to put the blinkers on him early. It was a big call but he needed it."
Kiwia surprises
Kiwia (Reset) provided trainer Archie Alexander with a pleasant surprise when he went back to back in the Listed Ballarat Cup.
Previously with the now banned Darren Weir, the gelding was having his sixth start for Alexander who wasn't bullish about the gelding's his chances.
"It's a special win as it's a hometown cup and it's with a horse that we came here with not overly confident about. He hadn't won in 12 months and he's had his issues,” Alexander said.
"I refer to him as the Roger Federer of the stable as it's hard to keep him in one piece, but he came into the mounting yard bouncing.
"I don't know why he peaked on this day, but for whatever reason he was flying."
Filly bags MM spot
Lady Banff (Top Echelon) has confirmed her place in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a runaway win at Doomben.
She followed up a debut win with a stroll to victory in the Stav, Abby & Matt QTIS H.
"I was thinking of running her at the Gold Coast on Wednesday, but you don't know exactly how much they are going to need to qualify with the way the prizemoney is in the south these days," trainer Matt Dunn said.
"So in the end I decided to run her at Doomben for the bigger prizemoney and we are safe now.
"I might start her the week before the Millions which seems to be a winning formula, but she doesn't need a lot to bring her to her top so we might just give her a barrier trial.”
Treasured Group win
Yearn (NZ) (Savabeel) added to her future broodmare value when she claimed the G2 Dunstan Feeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. at Pukekohe.
The 6-year-old has been a genuine performer for trainer Karen Fursdon and her resuming run for second on the course at her previous signalled she was ready for a bold effort.
“She’s a wonderful mare and from an awkward draw it was a beautiful ride by Sam (Spratt),” she said. “She was able to get some cover and the mare did the rest.”
Super ride
Opie Bosson was at the top of his game to guide the front-running In A Twinkling (Fastnet Rock) to the biggest win of his career at Pukekohe.
Opie Bosson
He judged the pace to perfection and last season’s G1 New Zealand Derby runner-up produced a strong kick 200 metres from the post to score with authority.
“In front and rolling along and not getting cluttered up is the way to ride him,” trainer Jamie Richards said. “He’s a fair horse and we’ll set him for the Waikato Cup.”
Queensland beckons
Tahitian Dancer (Dawn Approach {Ire}) collected travel expenses for Queensland with a smart win at Ballarat.
The 4-year-old settled back in the field before storming to victory in Saturday's The Haymarket Ballarat Mares.
"She'll go to Brisbane now, there's two stakes races pre-Christmas and then if she's going well she can run in the 1300 metre mares Magic Millions race," trainer Shane Nichols said.
"She's been placed in stakes races but now we want to get a black-type win to add to her value."
MM carnival the goal
Trainer Matthew Smith is looking toward the Magic Millions now Aqua D'ivina (Pierro) is back in winning form following a BM88 success at Kembla Grange.
"It was a really good ride from Kathy (O'Hara)," Smith said. "She saved ground, got up along the fence and got through them for a really good win."
The mare is bred to be very good being a daughter of the Group 1 winner Aqua D'Amore (Danehill {USA}).
Aqua D’ivina will be set for the 1800 metre open handicap during the Gold Coast's Magic Millions carnival on January 11.
Bowl upset
Its Destiny’s Child (NZ) (Castledale {Ire}) upset the apple-cart to provide rider Sam Spratt with a winning black-type double at Pukekohe on Saturday when taking out the Listed Haunui Farm Counties Bowl.
Spratt had piloted Yearn (NZ) (Savabeel) to victory in the G2 Dunstan Feeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. earlier on the card and doubled up with the lightly raced mare at her first time aboard the Bob and Jenny Vance-trained 6-year-old.
“She won really well last time so I was pretty pleased to be on her,” Spratt said. “She jumped and put herself there and when I turned for home I was travelling.
“She dug to the line well and put in a good tough effort. “I think getting her head around this will help as she is a little fragile mentally, but she can gallop.”
Ideal candidate
Trainer Kody Nestor said Sneak Preview (Smart Missile) is a perfect Country Championships contender horse following his Highway H. win at Kembla Grange.
Sneak Preview has had his troubles with injuries, suffering a minor leg fracture as a 3-year-old after ending up at Nestor's stable from two previous trainers.
He returned to racing in September and added to his record on Saturday with his fourth win from eight career starts.
"He had a little injury there last year," Nestor said. "We gave him plenty of time to get over it and we're reaping the rewards now."
Nestor now intends to give the gelding a break before setting him for the Country Championships qualifier at Coonamble on March 15.
Magnum masters trip
Magnum (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) broke through a distance barrier when he was successful at 1600 metres at Pukekohe.
The 7-year-old had failed to win over the trip in five previous attempts, but got the job done in Saturday’s Franklin Long Roofing H.
Magnum (NZ)
“I’m really pleased he’s seen out the mile, there’s been a query around it but he’s done it now,” trainer Lauren Brennan said.
The G2 Kamada Park Manawatu Challenge S. at Awapuni on December 21 is a likely next target for Magnum.
