Group 1-performing sprinter Sacred Satono will have just his third start over a mile at Ellerslie on Saturday, with a bold showing opening up further opportunities in spring.
Placed in both the Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) and Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) this season, trainers Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley felt it was the right time to test their charge over a mile once more.
His two previous mile tests netted unplaced runs in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Aotearoa Classic (1600m), and they are hoping it’s third time’s a charm in this weekend’s Group 3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m).
Sacred Satono heads into the race in good form, having run third behind Alabama Lass and Crocetti in the Group 3 Kings Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day before winning over 1300m at the Auckland track a fortnight ago.
“He has gone a couple of good races so he’s probably looking for 1400m to a mile, so we will see how he goes,” Cooksley said.
Sacred Satono has been lumbered with 60kg once more and will be ridden from barrier five by apprentice jockey Triston Moodley.
“He carried 60 kilos last time, so the weight won’t worry him,” Cooksley said.
Win, lose or draw, Cooksley said the five-year-old entire will head for a spell following Saturday in preparation for a spring campaign.
He will be joined in Saturday’s contest by stablemate Meaningful Star, who drops back to a mile after finishing fifth in the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie last month.
“He is coming off not a bad run in that weight-for-age five weeks ago,” Cooksley said.
“He has been freshened so he should go alright.”
The stable will also be chasing stakes success with juvenile debutant Nocturne in the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m).
“He has had a couple of trials and trialled alright last time and he should go a nice race,” Cooksley said.
On the undercard, the stable will also be represented by last-start winner He’s Classic in the Manco 2100 and Toruk Makto in the Trackside.co.nz 1600.
“He’s Classic is going along alright and this will probably be his last run before he goes for a spell,” Cooksley said.
“It doesn’t look an overly strong field.
“Toruk Makto has had a couple of runs since he has come back and both of them were quite nice, so he should be there somewhere.”
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