Auckland Classics await promising Wairarapa gelding Skippers Canyon (NZ) (Belardo) following his pleasing trial at Foxton on Tuesday.
The Belardo gelding was runner-up to Group Three performer Beavertown Boy in their 1600m heat, and his performance was to the satisfaction of trainer Jim Wallace.
“I was happy with him,” Wallace said. “He had a few days off after his last run and he has had a bit of an easy time, so he needed a good hit-out today, which he got. He had a good blow afterwards and I am happy with where he is at.”
Bred by Wallace under his Ardsley Stud banner, Skippers Canyon was initially raced by the Opaki horseman until last month when he was sold to Australian syndicator OTI Racing prior to his fourth placed run in the $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham.
“I thought his run (in the Remutaka Classic) was enormous,” Wallace said. “His sectionals were absolutely brilliant and from where he came from to where he got was very encouraging looking forward to a mile-and-a-half.”
That mile-and-a-half target will be the Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas (2400m) at Ellerslie on February 22, a fortnight ahead of his final run in New Zealand in the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Champions Day at Ellerslie.
“He will go to the Avondale Guineas,” Wallace said. “If he can win it that would be great, but he won’t be fully wound up for it. The Derby is the end game, but he has got to go and have a look around Ellerslie.
“We are very happy with the horse.”
Following the New Zealand Derby, Skippers Canyon will head to Sydney where a tilt at the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) await.
Meanwhile, stablemate Merkel (NZ) (Reliable Man) also pleased Wallace with her second placing in her 1000m heat, with the daughter of Reliable Man making quite the impression on her trainer.
“I am absolutely delighted with her,” Wallace said. “She hasn’t done anything for a long time, she had a couple of accidents.
“She blew out of puff in the last 100m (of the trial) and had a good blow and she will come on from that, we are happy with her.
“I will just see how she pulls up to where we go, but I think she is very high class. I think she is right up there as one of the better ones that I have had.”
