Talented Turn Me Loose juvenile prospecting Classic Gold

Media Release - Tuesday July 19

Stephen Autridge looks to be in for an exciting season with rising three-year-old Alabama Gold after his win over 800m at the Cambridge trials on Tuesday.

Group Three winner Alabama Gold. Photo: Trish Dunell

The son of Turn Me Loose had a pleasing juvenile season, winning the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) in February, and Autridge is hoping to add to his stakes tally this coming season.

Alabama Gold has made a pleasing return ahead of his three-year-old season and Autridge could not have been more pleased with his trial.

“I am absolutely rapt,” Autridge said. “He was just there for an outing and the number one thing was to teach him to race in behind.

“He jumped in front and eased in behind, relaxed nicely and came out and sprinted, which was really good.”

Alabama Gold’s first major test of the new season is set to be the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka on August 20 before he heads south to Hastings for more three-year-old features.

“He has got to go to Ruakaka now for his next two starts, but he is a pretty genuine type of horse and handles it pretty well,” Autridge said.

“He will have one lead-up at Ruakaka into the Northland Breeders’ Stakes.

“He will then go to Hawke’s Bay for the Colin Meads (Listed, 1200m) and hopefully the Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m).”

Alabama Gold will be the flagbearer for Autridge’s new operation, having formerly been the private trainer for Valachi Downs’ Kevin and Jo Hickman, alongside Kris Shailer.

Advertisement

Autridge is transitioning to run his own stable once more after the recent sale of the Matamata property and dispersal of its stock.

“Last Saturday I shifted my horses to my new base, I have 20 acres just over the back at Matamata racecourse,” Autridge said.

“I have 14 boxes and will look to have 12 in work.

“They have spent the last couple of days at the new stable and from August 1 they will just be in my name.”

Alabama Gold has been joined by One Power, who won his 950m trial at Cambridge on Tuesday.

“He has always shown plenty. He pulled a muscle and had six months off. He has only had two starts for a second and a third,” Autridge said.

“He should be clearing maidens pretty shortly.”

Autridge said he will focus on quality over quantity with his barn.

“We are going to have a young team and we won’t be racing a lot but it will be very meaningful,” he said. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Coolmore Stallion Parade – A to Z-Catch Up on What You Might Have Missed!
The annual Coolmore Australia stallion parade is one you just can’t miss and if you didn’t make it this year, do read on as you will feel like you were there after all!
Finding the Perfect Match for Your Mare
Now that the first foals of the season have hit the ground at farms across the country, breeders are finalising stallion bookings and searching for the perfect match for their mares.
Last to First – He’s Seriously Hot!
Sent to the paddock after just one placing from five starts at two that included three attempts in stakes company, Siriusly Hot returned a gelding at Randwick and it certainly made a difference!
Sires With Winners - Monday August 25
Here is the full list of 12 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Al Riffa Aiming Towards Melbourne Cup for Australian Bloodstock
The exceptional qualities of Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) are such that he can get fast juveniles and also high class older horses over a distance and we are set to see a taste of it this spring as media reports suggest Australian Bloodstock have purchased his top class 5YO stallion Al Riffa.
Too Darn Hot nomination realises $255,000 in August (Late) Sale
A nomination in exceptional young stallion Too Darn Hot has topped today’s Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale, selling for $255,000.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday August 26
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Wootton Bassett Colt Salutes at Sandown
Overdue for a win, talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Yamashita’s Gold shook off maiden status with a determined victory at Sandown on Wednesday for the Gavid Bedggood stable.
Trial Winner for Captivant
Captivant’s early promise was on full display at today’s Waipa trials when Capital Express stormed to victory in Heat 4. The Paul Pertab-trained 2YO colt impressed early, showcasing the speed and class expected of his G1 Champagne Stakes-winning sire in a performance that marked him as one to watch.