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American Pharoah wins Haskell Invitational; Korean trip for Daniel; Riccarton target for smart filly; Needastar ready for National; Kiwi interest in debut runner

American Pharoah wins Haskell Invitational

Triple Crown hero American Pharoah continued his surge towards greatness when cruising to a dominant victory in the US$1.75 million Gr.1 Haskell Invitational (1800m) at Monmouth Park on Monday.

The champion colt was simply awesome in disposing of his high class rivals with ease when running out a comfortable two and a half length winner over the fast finishing Keen Ice and Upstart back in third.

The first horse to win the American Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978, American Pharoah took his record to seven wins from eight starts for over US$5 million prize money.

Korean trip for Daniel

Champion trainer Laurie Laxon is looking further afield with the New Zealand-bred five-year-old Daniel.

He has announced plans to run the son of Guillotine in the Asia Challenge Cup, a race won last year by fellow Singapore trainer Alwin Tan with Mr Nacho gelding El Padrino.

“I will send him to Korea for that international race which will be run on August 30,” Laxon said. “He won’t get a run here before he goes. I will have to start organising for that now.”

Daniel has won seven of his 18 starts and confirmed the Korean venture with his latest success over 1400 metres at Kranji on Sunday night.

Riccarton target for smart filly

Promising three-year-old Peach Cove is on the trail of more black type at Riccarton.

“She’ll have a trial at the end of the month and then we’ll look at the Canterbury Belle Stakes for her,” co-trainer Matt Brown said.

Peach Cove was runner-up in the Listed Welcome Stakes last season before she returned from a break to win the Listed Champagne Stakes.

Needastar ready for National

Danny Crozier is expecting improvement from Needastar in Wednesday’s Grand National Hurdles.

The Riccarton trainer said the gelding had derived benefit from his third placing in the Sydenham Hurdles, the traditional lead-up to the Hospitality NZ-sponsored feature.

Crozier was also happy with Red Magic’s effort for sixth on Saturday, but he would like to see rain to boost his National prospects.

Kiwi interest in debut runner

Well-bred four-year-old Bullrush will make his Australian debut on Tuesday following two impressive trial wins.

Trainers John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes will run the O’Reilly gelding, who is out of a half-sister to the multiple Group One winner Starcraft, in an 1100 metre event at Goulburn.

"He's ready to go to the races," Michael Hawkes said. "He's doing everything right and ticked a lot of boxes.”

Bred and raced by Waikato Stud, Bullrush finished second in a trial at Te Rapa last year before he was sent to Australia.