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2YO out to boost Ellerslie hopes; Jimmy Rea coming home; Kiwi-bred makes early impression; Johnson out of action

2YO out to boost Ellerslie hopes

The Australian challenge on the Listed Karaka Million might be doubled this weekend.

The Liam Birchley-trained O'Reilly Cyrus is a confirmed starter and a bold showing from Shadow Prince in an $A80,000 event at Caulfield on Saturday would also see the Nigel Blackiston runner move into contention.

The grey son of Dalghar, a $22,000 Festival Sale purchase at Karaka last year, is currently 34th in order of entry after a debut fourth at Geelong on Boxing Day.

Jimmy Rea coming home

Jimmy Rea, a multiple winner in Singapore for Mark Walker, will continue his career in New Zealand if he makes a successful recovery from injury.

He has undergone surgery on a damaged suspensory and following a lengthy break he may then join the Matamata stable of Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.

“After Dr Dan Shaw operated on him, he went to the spelling stables and he is now ready to be shipped to New Zealand via Australia,” Walker’s assistant trainer Gus Clutterbuck said. “He will leave on January 23.”

Owned by his breeder Kevin Hickman, Jimmy Rea has won six of his 13 starts and finished runner-up last year in the Gr.1 Singapore Guineas.

Kiwi-bred makes early impression

New Zealand-bred three-year-old Popovich has made the perfect start to his Australian career.

The Robert Smerdon-trained son of Showcasing started a short-priced favourite at Sandown on Wednesday and finished off strongly under Craig Williams for a debut victory.

“He did more wrong than he did right, but it was just his natural ability that got him through,” Williams said. “I think he’ll get out over a lot further, I was very impressed by his performance.”

Johnson out of action

Top South Island jockey Chris Johnson has been sidelined by injury.

He has aggravated an old shoulder complaint, which forced him to forego his rides at Reefton on Wednesday and he won’t be riding at the Kumara Gold Nuggets meeting on Saturday.

He is, however, determined to be fit for Trentham to ride Natuzzi in the Grr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph.