3 minute read

Queen of Cool just that on debut; Ryder Stakes likely for Sheradream; Top sprinter still going strong; Filly a smart spring hope;

Queen of Cool just that on debut

With nine runners to saddle at Avondale on Wednesday, Richard Collett started the day in the best possible fashion with debut runner Queen of Cool victorious in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO.

"She showed a bit in the spring, working with the likes of Selfie and Untamed Diamond but then jarred up so we put her aside," said Collett.

The Pukekohe trainer intends to press on during the winter months with the daughter of first season sire Paco Boy.

"We will keep playing along with her. She has a neat little choppy action and loves the wet ground being out of an Anabaa mare."

Jockey Sam Spratt was full of praise for the filly.

"It was a really gutsy effort," Spratt said. "I rode a few of the Paco Boys while in England in the autumn and I mentioned to Richard before the race that I really like them."

Ryder Stakes likely for Sheradream

Pocket-sized two-year-old Sheradream pleased her trainers Scott Lucock and Sally Gillespie, turning in a professional performance when winning the second of two juvenile races at Avondale on Wednesday, the New Zealand Bloodstock Pearl Series 2YO Maiden (800m).

“We were pretty happy with her going into this,” said Gillespie of the Captain Rio filly.

“She's already shown she can go on top of the ground and today she lived up to her pedigree being able to handle the heavy track.

“She's gutsy and as a November foal she shouldn't really be doing what she is doing.

“I'd like to give her a week off and then we will see what is around for her but she'll go over more ground and we've got the Ryder at the end of July in the back of our minds which is why we were keen to try her on the heavier track today.”

The Stephen Marsh-trained debutant Serious Satire was the eye-catching performance of the race, storming home from las

Top sprinter still going strong

Group One sprinter Durham Town shows no signs of slowing down.

The rising eight-year-old won the Gr.3 Darley Plate and again placed at the top level in the Railway Stakes and The Telegraph on his last preparation.

“He’s never been better and as long as he remains competitive we’ll be looking at all the same races again,” trainer Donna Logan said. “He’s still very lightly raced for a horse of his age.”

Durham Town has eight wins and 11 placings from his 30 career starts.

Filly a smart spring hope

High Class is on her winter holiday before returning for what is expected to be a lucrative three-year-old campaign with the filly.

She was an impressive first-up winner last month before she ran fourth in the Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes.

“She’s out for four or six weeks and we’re hoping for a very good spring with her,” said trainer Jenna Mahoney, who produced Scholes for his maiden success at Avondale on Wednesday.