3 minute read

Group performer ticking along; Matamata falls foul of weather; Hutchings gets shot at Missile; Weighty return for Vancouver

Group performer ticking along

Stakes performer Star O'Fraaj is making good progress toward a return to competition next month.

The four-year-old was a dual winner last season for Evan and JJ Rayner and she also finished third behind Vespa in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas.

The Wanganui trainers have high expectations for Star O’Fraaj and Just A Lover, a four-time winner for the stable.

“They are both about six weeks away from going to the races,” Evan Rayner said. “They are promising mares and we’re looking forward to the spring with them.”

Matamata falls foul of weather

Heavy rain in the North Island washed out a second consecutive meeting this week with Friday’s Matamata fixture the latest casualty.

Stipendiary steward Alan Coles said the track was deemed fit for racing after an inspection at 5.45 am, but subsequent heavy downpours forced the abandonment.

“Clearly there was water sitting on the track and more showers were forecast. We had no option with health and safety in mind.”

Similar issues forced the Egmont Racing Club’s fixture at Hawera on Thursday to be called off and that meeting will now be run on Monday

Hutchings gets shot at Missile

Rory Hutchings has picked up the mount on the New Zealand-owned Burbero in Saturday’s Gr.2 Missile Stakes at Randwick.

The champion Kiwi apprentice replaces original rider Brodie Loy, who suffered a fractured elbow in a fall at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Trained by Bjorn Baker for Scott Richardson, Burbero won the Gr.2 Ajax Stakes during his last preparation. The O’Reilly gelding finished second at Canterbury when resuming in late July.

Weighty return for Vancouver

Star colt Vancouver will carry a hefty weight when he resumes in the Gr.3 San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday week.

Under the conditions of the race, the Gai Waterhouse-trained Gr.1 Golden Slipper winner will be burdened with 60kg.

Vancouver is the early favourite for the Gr.1 Golden Rose at Rosehill on September 12 and the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas on October 10.