King Of The Castle will make a welcome return to New Zealand racing on Saturday when he contests the Listed Nellies Restaurant & Bar Hazlett Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui.
The eight-year-old son of Castledale was a standout for trainer Kelvin Tyler as a younger horse, winning three races before his talent was identified by Newcastle trainer Joe Pride, who struck a deal with the Riverton horseman, who retained a 30 percent share.
King Of The Castle went on to win a further five races in Australia for Pride, and placed in the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) and Listed Santa Cup (2000m), accruing more than A$625,000 in prizemoney.
Tyler said he got great enjoyment in watching his gelding perform across the Tasman, including being trackside to watch him run fourth in the A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day, but he is glad to have him back.
“He got to a point where Joe Pride thought he might have reached his mark. He was carrying some big weights and was still competitive, but he let us bring him back,” Tyler said.
“We still had a 30 percent share in him over there, and the other 70 percent were quite happy to send him back and give him over to us.
“It has been a huge thrill. He has only had 38 starts, so he is still lightly raced. He has come back 100 percent sound, in good order and I am sure he is going to run some good races here.
“We are pleased to have him back and he is enjoying his paddock.”
While bringing home King Of The Castle raised some concerns with his 90 rating, weight won’t be an issue for him this weekend where he will carry just 53 kilograms, through the help of with 11-time winner and Group One performer Perfect Scenario, who has been lumbered with the topweight of 60kg.
“That top weight has made it into a pretty even race,” Tyler said. “It is always a bit of a worry bringing some of these high-rated horses back. All going well we will go to the White Robe (Gr.3, 1600m), which is weight-for-age, and we will take it from there.”
King Of The Castle will be joined in Saturday’s contest by stablemate Master Marko, who has been freshened since his subpar ninth placing over 1400m at Wingatui last month.
“He has come through his race well and he is nice and fresh,” Tyler said. “He carried a bit of weight (60kg) last time, got back from a bad draw (11) and it was a track where they weren’t coming from the back. It was a fair run and he seems to be alright. He is another runner’s chance.”
Later on the card, in-form mare Foreign Affair will be trying to gain a berth in next month’s $200,000 ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m) when she contests Saturday’s ODT Southern Mile Qualifier (1600m).
“I have targeted this race with her,” Tyler said. “We have got visor blinkers on her. We have always had a bit of success with them when we have put them on for the first time.
“She has got a bit of an awkward draw (16), but she might come into 11 the way it looks. She is a good, honest mare and I am pretty sure she will go another good race.”
Tyler is hopeful of having a handful of contenders in the ODT Mile Final, with the $200,000 purse being a strong incentive.
“At this stage, I have got three or four that could be chasing that race, and they are all reasonable chances,” he said.