A trip south to Riccarton next month could be on the cards for Verry Flash (NZ) (Zed) after his victory in the Whyte Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.
The full-brother to 11-time Group One winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) was the widest turning for home on Saturday and showed his liking for the Heavy conditions when holding on for a head victory.
Former trainer and part-owner Nick Bishara was pleased with the result and said the seven-year-old has found a new lease on life since joining trainer Kevin Myers’ barn.
“He is really thriving in his new environment down at Kevin’s. It is something a little bit different” Bishara said.
“He is really showing great form over a mile, he has had three starts for a Rangitikei Gold Cup (Listed), Whyte Handicap, and just got beaten at Hastings the other day over a mile.
“He is no Verry Elleegant, but every time you train a horse that is doing what he is doing is fantastic.
“We won a Taumaranui Gold Cup with him when I had him and I won six or seven with him and Kevin is carrying on.
“I am just thrilled.”
Verry Flash is nominated for the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 125th Winter Cup (1600m) on August 6 and Bishara said that will likely be his next test.
“I will touch base with Kevin to see how the horse pulled up, but he is in the nominations and that is probably where he will go, it is the logical next step,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bishara is looking forward to heading to Avondale on Wednesday with his own team, including three-year-old gelding Single Malt who will make his debut in the Marshall Stand Function Centre (1200m).
“I have a lot of time for a horse called Single Malt of John and Victoria Carter’s,” Bishara said.
“While he has no disclosed form, he did go to the Pukekohe jump outs the other week and won over 800m, but a step-up to raceday is another thing.
“He cops wet ground so we are hopeful he will go well.”
The son of Ekraar will be joined in his race by stablemate Chase ‘N’ Gold.
“Chase ‘N’ Gold has been disappointing and he needs to step up,” Bishara said.
The Ardmore Lodge trainer’s team will be rounded out by Treat Dapainter in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m). “I think Treat Dapainter can go well,” Bishara said.
“I am pretty confident he will cop the track. He has had a run under his belt on the synthetic.”