Ben and Ryan Foote will head to Ellerslie on New Year’s Day with a pair of in-form black-type chances whose longer-term feature race prospects are equally as strong.
The father and son combination will be represented by Myakkabelle in the Groyp 2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) and Vega For Luck in the Group 2 Skycity Eclipse Stakes (1200m).
War Decree Filly Myakkabelle is a two-time winner who finished a sound third against older opposition two runs back and was luckless when fifth in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
She missed the jump and settled three back on the fence before diving between runners in the straight to be strong to the finish.
“She was very, very good the other day and the step up to 2000m will really suit her down to the ground,” Ryan Foote said.
“The wide draw (11) isn’t ideal, but she seems to have bounced out of that run on Boxing Day very well.”
Foote said it wasn’t always the plan to back up Myakkabelle so soon, but her recovery rate had been excellent.
“She came through the race so well and didn’t get a lot of luck in running so we thought we’d put the nomination in and have a look,” he said.
Wednesday’s outing will be another step for Myakkabelle toward her autumn goal of the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham.
“The Oaks is the main one and we’ll pick the right path to it and do the right thing by the filly,” Foote said.
Myakkabelle is a daughter of the imported Lawman mare Myakka Park who is a half-sister to two European stakes winners.
The pedigree has also made its mark here with the Group 2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m) and the Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) winner Bella Waters, whose half-brother Immediacy was successful in last season’s Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m).
Myakkabelle was purchased for $55,000 out of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft of Inglewood Stud, who also bred and sold Vega For Luck for $60,000 at Karaka.
The Lucky Vega colt is guaranteed a start in next month’s $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) following the encouraging start he’s made to his career.
His debut victory at Tauranga has been followed up with third placings at Ellerslie and Pukekohe, most recently in the Listed Challenge Stakes (1100m).
“He hasn’t put a foot wrong since his last run, he’s got a good gate (one) so he should be able to stick to the rail and give them something to chase,” Foote said.
“It’s a chance to give him more experience at Ellerslie and to decide if we do put a set of blinkers on to spark him up for the Karaka Millions.
“He won’t have them on Boxing Day, but we’ve still got them up our sleeve.”
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