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Queenofthepalace US-bound; Stamina no issue for filly; Dell itching for return to riding; St Leger for in-form mare; Jackpot makes an early impression.

Queenofthepalace US-bound

The sale of the promising filly Queenofthepalace to Californian interests is all but confirmed.

“It’s pretty much a done deal,” co-trainer Emma Haworth said. “It’s a bit sad as she would have been our first chance at the Oaks, but we couldn’t pass up the money.”

Raced by Haworth with her father and training partner David, Queenofthepalace won two of her eight starts and was a most recent third behind Thee Auld Floozie in the Oaks Prelude at New Plymouth.

The Haworth stable also enjoyed success at Awapuni on Thursday with Jazz Rock posting a deserved maiden win.

“She’s such an honest horse and it was great to finally get one with her,” Emma said.

Stamina no issue for filly

Peter Williams has no concerns about his classy filly Vavasour mastering the 2400 metres of Saturday’s Gr.1 TV3 New Zealand Derby.

“The further she goes the better she’ll go, she’s that type of filly,” the Byerley Park trainer said.

Williams and his wife Dawn settled on the Derby for Vavasour as the best lead-up option for Sydney.

“We’ve had the ATC Oaks in mind for her right the way through and the Derby is better situated than the New Zealand Oaks,” he said.

Dell itching for return to riding

A potentially life-threatening fall hasn’t put Chris Dell off a return to the saddle.

The apprentice suffered severe head injuries in a fall at the Whangarei trials in December and now can’t wait to get back into action.

“I really, really want to get my leg back over a horse, but I have to wait,” Dell said.

“I was in a coma for nine days and I’ve got another three months off and then hopefully I can get a medical clearance.”

St Leger for in-form mare

Mick Brown and Sue Thompson are confident Decorum can make an impact at stakes level.

The Hastings trainers produced the Danroad mare for a strong maiden win at Awapuni on Thursday and now have a feature race in mind.

The Listed New Zealand St Leger at Trentham on March 14 is the target for Decorum, who is raced by her breeder Trish Dunell, a leading racing photographer.

Jackpot makes an early impression

Michael Moroney is already considering travel options within Australia for his stable newcomer Jackpot.

The Volksraad three-year-old joined his Melbourne operation following the gelding’s runaway New Zealand debut win from his Matamata stable run by Chad Ormsby

Jackpot will be on trial at Moonee Valley on Friday evening for a start in the Listed Bendigo Guineas on March 21.

“After that we’ll look at Sydney or Brisbane, but I have to be careful as he doesn’t like wet ground, but he is a very progressive young horse,” Moroney said.