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Natuzzi has Melbourne features in sight; Palemo Great Eastern Bound; Stinger sold to Hong Kong; Trainer hoping for better luck this time; Local stable out in force; Doncaster target for Suavito.

Natuzzi has Melbourne features in sight

Byerley Park trainer Paul Richards reports his talented sprinter Natuzzi has come through his fifth placing in the Listed March Stakes (1400m) at Flemington in fine fettle and his Melbourne campaign is set to continue.

"He over-raced quite a bit and I guess when you consider he finished only three and a half lengths from the winner it wasn't a bad effort," Richards said.

Based at the Cranbourne stable of Bevan Laming, Richards will consider a Group One start for the six-year-old gelding.

"We're yet to make a decision which way he will head but the William Reid or the Victoria Handicap are the likely options," Richards said.

"With a number of the better sprinters heading for Sydney it will be interesting to see what targets the William Reid. Statistically his best trip is 1200m and he seems to settle better with more pace on over the shorter distance."

The Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) will be run at Moonee Valley on March 27, while the Gr.3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) is a week later at Caulfield, a track on which Natuzzi has tasted previous stakes success.

Palemo Great Eastern Bound

Leading rider Steven Pateman will continue his association with New Zealand jumper Palemo as he heads towards the $A160,000 Great Eastern Steeple (4950m) at Oakbank on April 6.

The Kevin Myers-trained eight-year-old finished a gallant second to local jumper Isaiah at Oakbank on Saturday in the Thomas Foods International Steeplechase (3250m), conceding 5kgs to the winner over a distance short of his best.

“He’s pulled up well and will have one more race on the flat and then all going to plan he will run in the Great Eastern on Easter Monday,” said Douglas Duncan, who races the son of Don Eduardo with Jeff McVean.

“He should be very competitive and my wife and I are looking forward to travelling over to cheer him on.”

Last season's Hawke's Bay and Waikato Steeplechase winner, Palemo will relish the step up in distance to 4950m of the Great Eastern Steeple.

Stinger sold to Hong Kong

Promising Hamilton galloper Stinger has been sold to Hong Kong, where he will be trained by Tony Millard.

“There is great form around him now with the Oaks winner Savaria, Endeavour and Airlie House, all horses he had previously beaten, winning on Saturday,” said Stinger’s breeder and previous owner-trainer Kristine Stead.

“They should do well with him up there. Had we not sold him, we would have taken him to Australia.”

Stead had previously sold homebred Solar Great to Hong Kong, who won six races including the Gr.3 Hong Kong-Macau Trophy.

Trainer hoping for better luck this time

Stephen Autridge is hoping Silverdale’s fortunes can take a turn for the better at Tauranga this Saturday in the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud NZ International Trophy.

The Matamata trainer had high hopes for the five-year-old in the Listed Kaimai Stakes, but the gelding had to cover too much extra ground when improving from the back and finished fourth.

“Things didn’t go right and he was forced off the track and had to make a long run at them,” he said. “The way he races he needs luck in the running.”

Local stable out in force

Donna Logan will have a big team involved at her home meeting on Wednesday with 11 runners at Ruakaka.

“A couple are double acceptors and I think they will all be good chances,” she said. “It’s on our door step and cuts down the travelling expenses for owners.”

She will have a particularly strong hand in the Rating 75 mile with the Avondale maiden winner Mongolian Storm and the improving Stand Your Ground while Rating 65 sprint hopes River Raider and Rocknrolla are past winners on the course.

Doncaster target for Suavito

Nigel Blackiston is keen on a start in next month’s $A3 million Gr.1 Doncaster Handicap at Randwick for his in-form New Zealand-bred mare Suavito.

"If we can get into the field we will definitely head that way,” the Flemington trainer said.

“If not, we might stay here for the Gr.2 Sunline Stakes and go to Sydney for the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes."

A daughter of Thorn Park, Suavito won the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield when resuming last month and last time out she added the Gr.2 Blamey Stakes on her home track to her record.