Australian Bloodstock Secure Half of Exciting 2YO

Media Release - Monday November 22

The racing future of impressive debut winner Wolverine lies offshore, but not before she has a crack at New Zealand’s richest two-year-old prize.

Trained and part-owned by Palmerston North horseman Roydon Bergerson, the daughter of Tivaci cruised to victory in her only appearance at Otaki earlier this month to press her claims for the Listed Doubletree By Hilton Karaka Million (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 22.

Wolverine winning at Otaki. Photo: Race Images

One of a number of promising young horses under Bergerson’s care, Wolverine’s performance caught attention of several parties and a deal has subsequently been struck to sell a 50 percent holding in the filly.

“Australian Bloodstock has bought half of her and the original owners will keep the other half,” Bergerson said. “At this stage, the plan is she will go to Australia sometime after the Karaka Million.”

The ownership group includes Chris Rutten, a noted judge of young thoroughbred talent, who with Bergerson purchased Wolverine out of Waikato Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale draft for $50,000.

“She’ll run in the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr.2, 1100m) at Trentham on Saturday week and I’ll take her up to Ellerslie a week or so before the Karaka Million to give her a look around Ellerslie,” Bergerson said.

He also has another feature race contender in the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) hope Nest Egg, who gained an overdue maiden success over 1600m on his home track on Saturday.

“The blinkers helped Nest Egg, he was just going to sleep in his races. He was finding the line okay, but not like he did on Saturday,” Bergerson said.

“They have really turned him around and he worked particularly well in them the Saturday before so I thought he would be very hard to beat.

“He’s gone to the paddock for a week before we start up again and aim him at the Derby.

Advertisement

“He will kick off here over Christmas in a three-year-old race over 1400m and then build him up to a mile and his final lead-up will probably be the Avondale Guineas (Gr.2, 2100m).

“He’s always had Derby written over him and got a mile as a two-year-old and we can’t wait to get him over more ground.”

Bergerson was referring to Nest Egg’s effort last season to finish third in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie.

Stablemate Reign It In continues to improve his racing manners and was a sound third in three-year-old company at the weekend.

“He’s just a big kid, but he can round off some sectionals. I’ve been really pleased with him, he’s still learning and has got a lot of talent, but he’s just a bit raw,” Bergerson said.

“He’s gone to the paddock as well for a little break and I think he’s got the ability to win a good mile. He’s a beautiful, strong horse.”

Meanwhile, Town Cryer may step up in grade and distance following her performance to dead heat for second on her home track over 1600m on Saturday.

“She’s a good mare and I might run her in the Wanganui Cup (Listed, 2040m) on Saturday, but I’ll see what the nominations are like first,” Bergerson said.

“The stayers in New Zealand at the moment are pretty poor so it provides some good opportunities for Town Cryer to get some black type. I think she will be a really good mare come the autumn. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Premier Racing Stables for Sale in New Zealand
A unique opportunity to get a foothold in the heart of thoroughbred country in New Zealand has arisen offering both functionality and prestige within an ideal base to pursue racing success in the leading equine region in the country.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
Pier Headed to Melbourne
Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier to test his talent in Melbourne.
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
$140,000 NZB Ready to Run Graduate Books Ticket to G1 Victoria Derby
Bred for stamina being by Melbourne Cup winner Shoicking from a daughter of Tavistock, talented Kiwi bred three-year-old Azazel has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.