3 minute read

Group One forces reunite; Top Kiwi mare strikes; Apprentice adds to family record; Waller stable stars out in full force; Bounding set to pounce

Group One forces reunite

Allan Sharrock and Leith Innes will renew their successful Group One association in the Makfi Challenge Stakes at Hastings on August 29.

The New Plymouth trainer has booked the leading jockey to partner Kawi after a Te Rapa suspension ruled regular rider Johnathon Parkes out of contention.

Parkes copped a six day ban for his ride on Kawi in Saturday’s Gr.2 Foxbridge Pate, in which they were relegated from second to fifth.

Innes won the 2006 New Zealand Derby on the Sharrock-trained Wahid.

Top Kiwi mare strikes

Habibi has earned black type honours in Canada with her weekend victory in the Listed Flaming Page Stakes at Woodbine.

It was her first victory since she won the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby in 2013 for Donna and the late Dean Logan.

Habibi’s career was severely interrupted by a fractured pastern suffered when fourth in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks and she has only raced four times since that injury.

Apprentice adds to family record

Ryan Elliot continued a proud family tradition when he opened his winning account at Wanganui.

The 16-year-old triumphed on Off Roading on Sunday, a Zed gelding trained by his mother Leanne who numbered the Grand National Steeplechase and Hurdles and a Waikato Hunt Cup among her riding successes.

Elliot’s father Grant rode more than 100 winners while his uncle Ross retired with more than 300 to his credit.

Waller stable stars out in full force

Chris Waller’s New Zealand-bred Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec could be joined by a remarkable seven other Group One-winning stablemates in next Saturday’s Gr.2 Warwick Stakes at Randwick.

The champion expatriate Kiwi trainer is also looking to start Preferment, Foreteller, Hawkspur, Moriarty, Grand Marshal, Beaten Up and Royal Descent in the 1400 metre event.

Waller has tipped Kermadec and Royal Descent as his leading hopes with Glenn Boss and Hugh Bowman booked for the respective rides.

Bounding set to pounce

Smart sprinting mare Bounding showed she was ready to make an impact this spring with a strong barrier trial win at Rosehill on Monday.

The Peter and Paul Snowden trained former New Zealander stayed behind the speed for Hugh Bowman in her 1030 metre trials before hitting the line strongly under a tight hold.

Bounding scored by a short head over Gary Moore’s Happy Galaxy in a time of 1.04.7 on a good 4 track.

A Group 1 winner in her homeland, Bounding has finished second at three of her four Australian starts, the latest behind Vain Queen in the Group 3 GH Mumm Stakes down the Flemington straight last November.

It was Bounding's second trial of the spring after a close second to Heart Testa on August 4.