Trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson were left perplexed following Domain Ace’s subpar performance at Ellerslie last month, and they are hoping their $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) contender can return to form at Trentham on Saturday.
The three-year-old son of Swiss Ace was announced as the Canterbury Jockey Club’s NZB Kiwi slot runner last month, and he didn’t reassure their selection several weeks later when beating just the one runner home in the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) on Boxing Day.
He was given a full veterinary examination following the race, but nothing untoward was found, and the Rogerson’s are trying to put that run behind them.
“He didn’t hit-out on Ellerslie that day, a lot of them didn’t,” Graeme Rogerson said.
“The vet came out and we couldn’t find a thing wrong with him after his last run. Craig (Grylls, jockey) said he asked him to quicken up and he didn’t respond. I don’t know what to put it down to, but we will see and hopefully he is back on track.”
Domain Ace will face a daunting task this weekend in the Group 2 Levin Classic (1400m) where he will come up against dominant three-year-old Savaglee.
“That Savaglee is a very good horse, he has certainly got all the attributes of Savabeel,” said Rogerson, who trained his Champion sire.
“But you can’t win if you are not in. We are hoping that he gets back on target for the NZB Kiwi.”
Stablemate, and former New Zealand Horse of the Year, Sharp ‘N’ Smart will also head south to tackle Saturday’s Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m).
“He looks tremendous,” Rogerson said. “He has been a work in progress but I thought his run the other day (third in the Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes, 1400m) was very good.
“He is well-weighted with 55kg on his back, and I think it is a nice race for him.”
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