A tilt at next week’s Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) is on the line for evergreen stayer Sword In Stone (NZ) (Redwood) when he heads to Trentham on Sunday to contest the Milestone Homes 2200.
The former Hong Kong galloper has been in pleasing form for trainers Kevin and Stephen Gray since returning to New Zealand, winning his resuming run over a mile at Otaki on Boxing Day before bouncing back from a last placed finish in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) when runner-up over 2060m at Wanganui last week.
Stephen Gray, who originally purchased the gelding as a yearling at Karaka for $33,000, was pleased with his last start effort, and he is hoping he can go one better this weekend.
“He has improved a lot,” Gray said. “He needed the run there (Wanganui) and he nearly won it. He will go into that race on Sunday pretty fit for an old boy, I am happy with him.”
While seventh in order of entry for the Auckland Cup, Gray said Sword In Stone, a Group One performer in Hong Kong, would need to put in a bold performance to head north for the staying feature on Saturday-week.
“We are still in there (Auckland Cup), but at the end of the day I think we are dreaming, but you never know, we have got a gun rider on (Michael McNab),” he said.
“He needs to win that well to warrant going to the Auckland Cup.”
Gray is also looking forward to tackling the IRT 1200 on Sunday with Silent Is Gold and Idyllic, with both horses needing the run following the abandonment of Otaki’s meeting last Saturday.
“They were meant to run at Otaki and it would have suited Idyllic because of the short turn,” Gray said. “Trentham probably doesn’t suit her because they can run her over. She needs a race because there are other things coming, so we have to go.
“It is unfortunate that these races have been called off, it just stuffs your plans a bit.
“Silent Is Gold is much the same, and I think it is a good option for him. He has had a big journey and has had two very good runs, and just got beaten the other day. We have got a good rider on (McNab), we are quite well-weighted (57kg) with the top weight (Lightning Jack, 62kg) there. I think he will run really well.”
Gray is also set to line-up last start winner Tivaci’s Affair (NZ) (Tivaci) in the Rothley 1400 and Discovery Bay in the MG Tiling & Clarky’s Painting 1200.
“Tivaci’s Affair went to run at Otaki in the mile, and I think the mile is better for her. She will eventually get 2000m and I think she is a promising mare, especially next year,” Gray said.
“1400m at Trentham can be like a mile. With three kilos (claim) and a good draw (4), I think she is an each way chance.
“Discovery Bay did go very well in a stronger field the other day. He has freshened up and has got a good rider (Tina Comignaghi) on, a light weight (56.5kg) and a good draw (5). He is an honest, genuine horse that can run in the money and might even win.”
Meanwhile, Gray will take four horses to Waverley’s Friday meeting, including Cooper (NZ) (Tivaci) in the Roper Agriculture (1200m).
“Cooper resumes, he is a good horse,” Gray said. “He just got beaten last start and then he had a little issue we had to sort out. He is fresh-up, has drawn wide (15) and has got a big weight (60kg). If he had a decent barrier I thought he would have been extremely hard to beat.”
Gray will also line-up Red Lady (NZ) (Redwood) in the Colin Cromarty Track Manager (1650m), Lucid Dream (NZ) (Wyndspelle) in the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1650m), and Swiss Belt (NZ) (Swiss Ace) in the Eltham Vets (1200m).
