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Rising Romance progressing well; Flemington to suit Sardaaj; Kiwi’s European trip on the line; Trip away benefits Collett runners

Rising Romance progressing well

Rising Romance hasn’t missed a beat leading into Saturday’s Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.

The New Zealand mare, now trained by David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, caught the eye when she resumed with a sixth placing in the Gr.1 NZB Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.

“Her last 50 metres in the Memsie was very strong and we’ve had no problems with her since,” stable representative Gary Fennessy said.

“Stepping out at Flemington for the Makybe Diva this weekend will suit her and we haven’t had to do a lot with her since the race and we’ve kept her doing 14s to the furlong.

“She’s a very placid sort of mare that eats everything and does everything right so we are very happy with her.”

Flemington to suit Sardaaj

The roomy Flemington track is expected to be the ideal venue on Saturday for Sardaaj to showcase her talents in the Gr.2 Let’s Elope Stakes.

The former Stephen Marsh-prepared mare impressed in her Australian debut for Team Hawkes when runner-up at Moonee Valley.

“She’s done everything right after her first up run and has trained on well,” Wayne Hawkes said.

“We’ve been very happy with her over the last two weeks so it will be good to get her on the big track at Flemington – hopefully we see her rip down the outside.

“She’s pleased us, her work has always been very good and it’s been nothing more or nothing less than what she’s done over the past few weeks so she’s spot on.”

Kiwi’s European trip on the line

Stephen Gray’s hopes of a European campaign with Emperor Max will be decided by the sprinter’s performance when he resumes over 1200 metres at Kranji on Sunday week.

“We’ll just have to see how he goes in the Garden City Trophy,” the expatriate New Zealand trainer said. “The England trip will depend on how he goes.”

A Group Two winner of nine races and a multiple Group One placegetter, Emperor Max has had two barrier trials to fit him for his first appearance since May.

Emperor Max’s connections have received an invite from Ascot to run in the Gr.1 British Champions Sprints Stakes in October.

Trip away benefits Collett runners

A visit to Paeroa last week furthered the preparation of one of last season’s leading juveniles ahead of his return to racing at Ruakaka on Saturday.

Pukekohe trainer Richard Collett took the opportunity to give a number of his weekend runners a trip away and a gallop ahead of their season openers at the Whangarei meeting.

Among them was the Listed Karaka Million runner-up Selfie, who will take on a competitive line-up in the Listed Tavistock Northland Breeders’ Stakes.

“He’s a lovely horse with ample talent and I would expect him to go on with it,” Collett said. “He’s come back quite robust and he’s obviously a horse that will get 1600 metres later on.”