Roger James and Robert Wellwood experienced a whirlwind of highs across the Karaka Millions and Yearling Sales series this week, a trend they hope to continue back at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Last Saturday night at the Auckland venue, their star mare Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) silenced any doubters with a top-class performance to win the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m), a year after reigning supreme in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m).
An earner of over $2.67 million, Orchestral is now poised to take on the likes of Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock) and La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) in a star-studded edition of the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), to be run at Te Rapa on February 8.
“It was great to see her back at her best, especially in a big race like that,” Wellwood said. “It was a huge thrill.
“She seems to have come through the run really well, we’re yet to make a firm decision but more than likely she’ll go to the Herbie Dyke.”
The daughter of Savabeel is currently the $3.50 second-elect in the TAB Futures market for the $700,000 feature, with Snazzytavi on top at $1.90.
A few days after the Karaka Millions meeting, James and Wellwood went to $1.1 million to secure a special filly out of Hallmark Stud’s draft on behalf of Orchestral’s owners, Colin and Helen Litt. Lot 564, a Proisir filly out of Donna Marie, is the full-sister to another Kingsclere headlining act in Prowess (NZ) (Proisir), who won two Group Ones and over $1.5 million in a career that came to a premature end.
Wellwood, while acknowledging the connection to Prowess, said the filly stood out on her own.
“It was great, but we’re not sentimental and don’t buy them for the sake of it,” he said. “We genuinely thought she was the best filly on the grounds, which gave us confidence, matched up with a family we know, and a cross we know that works.
“We’re extremely lucky and proud to be able to get her, and very fortunate to have the owners that support us to buy what we felt was the best filly.”
A further six yearlings were purchased by the Cambridge trainers in Book 1, including Lot 412, a Per Incanto colt out of Group Two winner Xpression for $260,000, while they went to $310,000 for Lot 623, a filly by young sire St Mark’s Basilica.
“I thought we did reasonably well, we only buy horses if we love them,” Wellwood said. “I always do the grandmother test, I say to myself if my grandmother wanted this horse, would I buy it for her. All of these horses have passed that test and are coming home.
“We’re excited to see them in our stable.”
Back in the stable, promising sprinter Irish Legacy already saluted earlier in the week at Tauranga, while Wellwood has plenty of time for Schmooze (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who will make just his fourth start on Friday at Te Rapa in the NZB Kiwi Preview Evening 6/3 (1400m).
“He was very unlucky last start, he’s a highly talented horse that we’ve been patient with,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him step out with a good barrier (3) for once.”
The team will have a strong contingent at Ellerslie on Saturday, with juvenile debutant Vittoria (NZ) (Per Incanto) representing the TAB Racing Club in the Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m). Her sole trial appearance was second behind In Haste, who went on to score comfortably at Matamata.
“I thought her trial was very good and that form was then franked by In Haste going to the races and winning nicely,” Wellwood said.
“This is not something we would normally do, running a horse that’s only had the one trial in a stakes race at its first start, and Ellerslie is one of the harder tracks to get things right at being a big open space, so we’re taking it on trust that she’s going to handle the occasion.
“It was either head there or to Tauherenikau, and Ellerslie was closer, we’ve got a high opinion of this filly and whatever she does, she’s going to improve off.”
The Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) is the ideal scenario for in-form galloper Hasstobeawinner (NZ) (Vadamos), but currently third on the ballot, he looks more likely to take his place at Taranaki in the Platinum Homes 1400.
“Our preference is to head to Ellerslie, but we’ve got to get a run, that’s the key there,” Wellwood said.
“He’s flying, wherever he goes he’ll be competitive.”
A horse that may be back at Ellerslie on the big stage in a month’s time is Oceana Dream (NZ) (Ocean Park), a $1.25 million Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) prospect who blew away his competition on debut at Tauranga. Stepping up in distance, he will contest the Trelawney Stud (1600m).
“He’s a high-class horse, I’m really looking forward to seeing him step out and then going forward, working out whether we look to head the Derby way, or perhaps whether he’s sharper,” Wellwood said.
“We’re very happy with him.”
Completing Kingsclere’s runners will be the well-related Usain (NZ) (U S Navy Flag), having his first attempt over ground that should suit his bloodlines in the Horizon By SkyCity (2100m)
“He’s from a staying family and is bred and built to go staying trips,” Wellwood said. “He’s going well, he’s certainly ready to be getting up over ground and probably didn’t have all that much luck last start.”
