The LA bred Xanadu (Elusive City-Forest Dream) is currently the $4.50 equal favourite for this Saturday’s Group 1 Makfi Challenge Stakes at Hastings as she attempts to add another group 1 victory to go alongside her win in last season’s Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeder Stakes.
A lot of interest will also centre on the Don Gordon owned local Survived (Zed-Political), and his chances will increase if he strikes similar soft track conditions to those he encountered when scoring such an impressive win in last season’s Group 2 Hawkes Bay Gold Cup over 2200m.
The LA bred and owned mare Kekova (Elusive City-Racing Waters) completes the LA treble in the Makfi . The BLEAP syndicate will be there in full force following her as she enters her last campaign before she goes to stud. She will visit Savabeel this season.
Placed at his two previous starts, Nonevero (Nadeem – Sin Bin by Desert Sun) gained a well earned success over 2000m in New South Wales on Saturday.
The LA bred Shotover River (Savabeel-Rivertaine) looks a pretty promising stayer for trainer John Meagher and his sons Chris and Dan. The LA bred four-year-old who won over 2200m in Queensland yesterday to record his third win from his last four starts has a cracking yearling half brother by Per Incanto in our Karaka draft this summer.
