Talented filly Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) is set to bloom once more when she heads to Ellerslie next week to contest the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) after winning her 1100m trial at Taupo on Wednesday.
The three-year-old daughter of Savabeel has been a standout for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, winning three and placing in two of her six starts to date, including taking out last month’s $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m).
She is set to represent Te Akau Racing’s slot in next week’s NZB Kiwi and was given her final public hit-out before the big dance at Taupo on Wednesday in a star-studded trial.
Damask Rose stalked pacemaker Babylon Berlin throughout before sneaking up on the rail to score a neck victory, with a further length back stablemate Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer) in third.
Bergerson was pleased with what he saw at Taupo and said that will set her up nicely for a tilt at the NZB Kiwi on Saturday-week.
“It was good to see her trial like that 10 days’ out (from the NZB Kiwi),” he said. “We wanted to give her a hit-out without doing too much. She doesn’t take a lot of work, but she is ticking over nicely, and I couldn’t be happier with her.
“Craig (Grylls, jockey) was very complimentary, and she seems to have pulled up well, so it’s onwards and upwards.
“We think she races better on the fresher side, and we have kept the blinkers up our sleeve for raceday.”
Bergerson was also pleased with Campionessa’s outing, with the seven-year-old mare out to add to her Group One haul in next Saturday’s HKJC World Pool New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).
“In her old age, she knows what is a trial and what is a race,” Bergerson quipped. “Kevin (Stott, jockey) said she was very laidback up the straight. We wanted to give her a bit of a hit-out.
“The blinkers go on next Saturday and the Thoroughbred Breeders is the goal, and we will assess her racing future after that. She has been a fantastic Group One-winning mare for us, and we think being on the fresher side next Saturday could hopefully be a change in fortune for her.”
Group three performer When Stars Align (NZ) (Zoustar) finished fifth in the heat and is set to make his long-awaited return to racing at New Plymouth next week.
“He’s coming along nicely,” Bergerson said. “He has had the ultimate gear change, the gelding, and a good, long break. He’s had a couple of trials now and will head to New Plymouth next Saturday for a three-year-old 1200m, all going well.”
Stablemate I’m A Dirty Rascal rounded out Te Akau’s quartet of triallers, and the globetrotting seven-year-old also pleased Bergerson, with a view towards next Saturday’s Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) on Champions Day.
“He should hopefully sneak in there with a really light weight,” Bergerson said. “This trial I thought he was good through the line and was asked a little bit past the line as well.
“We have gone the European way, a bit of time between runs up to the 3200m. He is a naturally fit horse and seems to be enjoying the New Zealand lifestyle. If he can sneak in with that light weight, we think he is a live chance.”
