Riccarton racegoers could be in for a treat on Saturday when they get to witness one of the burgeoning rivalries in New Zealand racing come to a head.
Exciting fillies Alabama Lass and Captured By Love will go head-to-head for just the third time in the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), with the ledger currently being one win apiece.
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Captured By Love asserted her dominance in their first meeting when taking out the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) last season, while the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained Alabama Lass evened the score when taking out the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) in September.
Alabama Lass has had a faultless preparation this spring, winning all three of her outings, while Captured By Love has had a more patchy lead-up.
The daughter of Written Tycoon was an eye-catching third in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Matamata last month after missing away by six lengths, and was hampered by the Heavy track conditions in the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m), which was transferred to Te Aroha following several slips at Te Rapa two days prior.
“Matamata (Hawke’s Bay Guineas) was a bit of a bugger, but we added the barrier blanket and did a bit more work with her here at home. Fingers crossed she can behave herself again,” Bergerson said.
“It was just a pity at Te Aroha that they got the rain. She went to Te Rapa on the Monday and they cancelled the races. She has had a bit of an interrupted prep, but she deserves a bit of luck and hopefully that will come on Saturday.”
Captured By Love flew down to Christchurch earlier this week and Bergerson said he has received positive reports from their Riccarton stable foreman Hunter Durrant.
“She flew very early on Wednesday morning and Hunter has been really happy with the way she has travelled. She hasn’t missed a beat in the feed bin and looks very bright and well down there,” he said.
“She has had a couple of quiet days on the training track and we are happy.”
TAB bookmakers have the 1000 Guineas as a two-horse race, with Alabama Lass a $2.45 favourite ahead of Captured by Love at $2.70, with Kitty Flash and Love Poem the next fancied runners at $11.
While looking forward to watching the race unfold on Saturday, Bergerson believes there are a number of winning chances in the high-quality field outside of the two Matamata fillies.
“Training here at Matamata, we keep a close eye on each other,” he said. “She (Alabama Lass) is obviously a high-class filly. There are quite a few other nice chances in the race. There are plenty of fillies on the up and it looks a really interesting race on paper.
“Fingers crossed the rain stays away and they can race on a good track and everyone gets their chance.”
Te Akau Racing also feature prominently in the market for the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m), with Mehzebeen rated a $5.50 second favourite behind Beavetown Boy ($4.80) following her last start victory in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m).
“I was pleased to see her get that result, she deserved it,” Bergerson said. “Sometimes she hasn’t had the rub of the green, but it was a really good, positive ride from Sam Spratt.
“She has come through the run in very good order. The team down there are pleased with her. She gets in on the minimum (53kg), which is a plus.
“Barrier 10 gives us some options. We will leave it up to Gryllsy (Craig Grylls, jockey) in that regard. Hopefully she can get a spot one-off somewhere and go to sleep. She does relax lovely, and we are confident that she will see out the two miles.
“It is a race that looks quite open on paper, and we are hoping there is no rain about. She looks a really nice chance.”
The stable will also be represented in the two-mile feature by Fierce Flight, who will jump from barrier eight with Liam Riordan aboard.
“He is one of the few runners that has genuine two-mile form, which I think holds him in really good stead,” Bergerson said. “Last season he ran second in a Wellington Cup carrying top weight and he sneaks in here on 53kg. If he runs up to that performance, he will certainly be in it.
“On his day, if everything goes right and he is in the right frame of mind, he is more than capable of winning.
“Hunter said he is bright and well and has come through the run. We have varied his training to try and keep him on his toes and thinking a bit. He is hopefully on the right track to run a nice race on Saturday.”
The stable will have a three-pronged attack in the Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes (1200m) courtesy of Millefiori, Caravella and Tokyo Tycoon.
“It is hard to split them. It is quite an even race on paper and all sneak in with nice, light weights,” Bergerson said.
“Up to 1200m really suits Millefiori. She was a little bit disappointing at Wellington (when second to last over 1000m). It was a funny day and tripped up a few of our horses, they didn’t really get through the Heavy going.
“She has travelled down well and has been in the south before, and her work has been really good this week. She has got a nice alley and Josh Parr is a massive plus to have on.
“Caravalla found the Pegasus (Listed, 1000m) a bit sharp on Saturday but has come through the run well. Up to 1200m suits and on the minimum (53kg) we think she can give it a shake and hopefully sneak some black-type.
“Tokyo is a very interesting runner – drawn one with Gryllsy (Craig Grylls) on and 53 kilos. His first two runs he has been in (rating) 75 and had to lug weight.
“We made a bit of a blue. He went so well first-up there over 1200m and we backed him up two weeks later thinking he was looking for 1400m and he was a bit disappointing. We gave him a freshen-up down there and kept him very fresh for this race. Back to 1200m with blinkers on, a nice alley (1), hopefully he can rediscover that two-year-old and early three-year-old form, and if he did, we think he is a nice light-weight chance.”
Te Akau Racing will utilise the services of Australian jockeys Liam Riordan and Joshua Parr at the meeting, and Bergerson said they both add plenty of quality to the riding ranks over the carnival.
“The more jockeys we can get over here the better,” he said. “The more we can add to the riding ranks brings about good competition and lifts the level.
“Josh is a Group One-winning rider in Australia, so we are happy to have his experience. Liam is a rider on the up and can ride those light weights, which we need.
“They are two jockeys that we are certainly pleased to have over on Saturday. On those big days you do need a bit of luck, but it helps having a good pilot aboard as well.”