Group two winning filly Chicharita (Towkay-Trisynd) is a confirmed starter in this weekend’s Group One Telecom New Zealand Derby, where she is likely to be ridden by champion international jockey Douglas Whyte. With her pattern success coming at 2000m and being unbeaten at Ellerslie in two starts, the filly is not without a chance of capturing more black-type in the blue riband Classic.
Viadana (Towkay-Yeah Nah) made it three consecutive victories, and all at Premier meetings, with her latest success in the New World Matamata 1600m on Matamata Breeders Stakes Day on Saturday. The Lance Noble trained mare has the Group One Te Aroha Thoroughbred Stakes as her principal target this campaign, where she will be looking to emulate 2009 winning Towkay mare Special Mission.
Last Friday evening at Moonee Valley saw the return to racing after a short let-up of Rifleman (Hussonet-Opportunity) with the David Hayes trained colt running a nice second over 1000m. The three-year-old colt who had been freshened after two consecutive wins in January was purchased from our 2010 Karaka Premier draft.
Thanks to Gary Mudgeway and his Grange Thoroughbreds team for putting the finishing touches and presenting our High Chaparral – Surreptitious colt in such great order at this week’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. The colt sold to New Zealand agent Paul Willetts for $65,000.