After being nothing short of spectacular in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day, emerging sprinter Waitak will hunt a Group One double in Saturday’s BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, who train Waitak out of their Matamata base, tested the gelding over various distances as a three-year-old, which included finishing second in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and fifth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).
The son of Proisir resumed off a decent break with a dazzling performance over 1300m at Te Rapa before a successful last-to-first triumph in the Railway indicated the sprinting distances may be his preferred range.
“He steps out to the 1400m, and he’s working into the race really well,” Scott said.
“We took him across to Te Rapa last Wednesday and galloped him between races, Craig, his regular trackwork rider, rode him for us and he was really pleased with him.
“It’s another step-up for him, it’s going to be a pretty hot field in weight-for-age conditions but he’s a big boy and we think he’s ready to handle it.”
The four-year-old was guided in the Railway by premiership-leading hoop Warren Kennedy, however, with Kennedy’s commitments to unbeaten three-year-old star Crocetti, Opie Bosson will take the ride at Te Rapa.
“Opie’s familiar with him, he’s ridden him in the past and this horse loves Te Rapa, the big flat track really suits him,” Scott said.
Bosson will have a prized opportunity to win a fourth BCD Group Sprint in five years, having taken out the Waikato feature aboard Te Akau headliners Te Akau Shark (2020), Avantage (2021) and most recently, last year’s edition with Imperatriz.
Crocetti currently tops the TAB Futures market at $2.50, with Waitak a $5 second favourite, while stablemate Dragon Leap sits an ominous $10 chance, fresh-off a tough run in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham last month.
Prior to this performance, Dragon Leap had kicked-off the new season with an impressive Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) victory at Te Rapa before finishing second in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) behind Skew Wiff, and a close-up fourth in the Railway fresh-up, and will be partnered on Saturday by Vinnie Colgan.
“Dragon Leap certainly deserves one of these races, not much went right for him at Wellington with the slow pace in the race and getting caught wide,” Scott said.
“He should quicken well, we think 1400m is probably his peak distance now, and he won on the track earlier in the season there in the Foxbridge, he’s another that loves Te Rapa.
“We hope he can bring his best form, because it would certainly be very satisfying and special for the team if he could win a Group One.”
Scott is also looking forward to lining up Molly Bloom in the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) for new majorirty owner Ozzie Kheir.
A daughter of Ace High, Molly Bloom has spearheaded the three-year-old contingent for much of the current season when adding the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) to her burgeoning record.
Her success attracted the eye of the well-known Australian owner, who earlier this week brokered a deal to purchase a majority share in the filly. She will see out the season with Wexford before transferring to an Australian stable ahead of spring racing.
Scott was philosophical about her last start seventh place finish in the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), and is looking forward to stepping the talented filly up to 2000m for the first occasion.
“Not a lot went right for Molly on Karaka Millions Night, she just got a wee bit wide but still sustained a nice gallop,” he said.
“We’ve always thought 2000m would be up her alley, and the fortnight back-up suits nicely for the 2000m. She’s a fit, sound filly that’s going really well, and we think she can bounce back into form after being a little bit off them at Karaka.”
Joining Molly Bloom in the fillies’ feature will be stablemate Grail Seeker, a perennial bridesmaid in recent starts with minor placings in the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m) and Eight Carat Classic, while also finishing a game second last start behind Sudbina in the Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m).
“Grail Seeker ran a very brave second at Wellington, she didn’t get all favours while the winner probably did,” Scott said.
“She’s another super fit and very consistent filly, and we think she’s now at the stage where she’s got the good base to step-out to the 2000m, she should put in another consistent performance with Joe (Doyle) aboard.”
Scott noted both Kingfisher and Canny Man will be good chances in the undercard for Wexford, contesting the Rating 75 1200m and the Rating 65 1300m respectively.
“Kingfisher’s in good form and ran behind Master Fay at Tauranga, who went on to win on Karaka Millions Night. His run was really good there,” he said.
“Canny Man appreciates that bit of give in the ground, he’s going to appreciate the drop back from 75 grade and has had a nice wee freshen since he kicked off on Boxing Day. He’ll sprint well there.”