3 minute read

Best yet to come from Vespa; Midnight Gossip impressive on debut; Bridgman makes his mark; Kiwi mare trials well; Shenandoah surprise

Best yet to come from Vespa

Group One winner Vespa has pleased his conditioners Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard following his second placing to Xtravagant in Saturday’s Gr.1 NRM Sprint at Te Rapa.

“He’s a pretty special horse to us,” Benner said.

“He went a super race. He gave away a bit of ground when Xtravagant cut the corner and he chased hard.

“He’s only just getting to his peak now. He’s a heavy little colt, so he’s taken a couple of runs and I think next time he races you’ll see the best of him.”

Vespa will tackle the Gr.1 Haunui Farm WFA Classic on his home track at Otaki on February 27 before a possible trip across the Tasman.

“We’re trying to maximise his value as a stallion,” Benner said.

“If he could win at Otaki, we’d strongly consider heading to Melbourne for the Blamey Stakes.

“It’s a race that Tavistock won and looks like a nice goal for him.”

Midnight Gossip impressive on debut

The Nigel Tiley-trained Midnight Gossip will target the Gr.1 Sistema Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie on March 12 following an impressive debut victory at Te Aroha on Wednesday.

Despite covering extra ground, Midnight Gossip toyed with her rivals to win eased down by three and a half lengths under rider Leith Innes.

“She’s a pretty smart filly,” Tiley said. “She had to do a little bit of work from the draw and 1000m is probably a bit sharp for her, so I think she’s got a pretty good future.

“She’s by Showcasing and the Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie appeals with the bonus attached.”

Karaka based Haunui Farm is offering a $100,000 bonus to connections of any juvenile by their stallions that can win the juvenile feature.

Bridgman makes his mark

Expatriate New Zealand trainer Jason Bridgman has opened his Australian account.

The former Matamata-based horseman made the move to Victoria last winter to establish a new operation near the Pakenham Racing Club’s Racing.com Park.

The Group One winning trainer has only had a handful of Australian runners before he was successful at Tuesday’s Sale meeting with Aldo, who was ridden for him by former Kiwi jockey Daniel Stackhouse.

Bridgman began his New Zealand career with Graham Richardson before a spell on his own and then joined the Te Akau operation in 2010.

Kiwi mare trials well

New Zealand-bred and owned mare Lucia Valentina pleased trainer Kris Lees with her effort at Wednesday’s Wyong trials.

“She ran a quiet third and Kris was very happy with her,” said owner Lib Petagna’s racing manager Bruce Perry. “She’s still three or four weeks away from her first run.”

A dual Group One winner, Lucia Valentina hasn’t raced since she finished fifth in the Hong Kong Cup before Christmas and the Savabeel mare is being prepared for the $A4 million Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on April 9.

Shenandoah surprise

Leading rider Lisa Allpress was pleasantly surprised with the run of the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained juvenile Shenandoah and believes she is a filly with a future.

The first starter finished runner-up to Wyndspelle on Saturday at Te Rapa, racing on the much maligned inside section of the track.

“She’s a nice filly and Trent and Natalie definitely weren’t expecting such a bold showing,” Allpress said.

“They decided to put her in because of the lack of nominations and she went really well.

“She was down on the inside, but I don’t think it was the track that tripped her up, but rather her lack of ringcraft and that will really bring her on for next time. I think she will be hard to beat next start.”