Ready to Run Purchase on Track for NZ Oaks

Media Release - Wednesday March 15

Sakura Girl will chase the first leg of a major trans-Tasman double for Cambridge trainer Ben Foote at Trentham on Saturday.

The in-form daughter of Iffraaj is the pre-post favourite for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) while stablemate Babylon Berlin is in Melbourne to prepare for Friday week’s Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

Sakura Girl will contest the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell

Sakura Girl will contest the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell

Sakura Girl has enjoyed a trouble-free build-up and jumped to the top of the Oaks market following a decisive front-running victory in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) and Foote has no concerns about the extra distance.

“You never know until they try, but I would very much doubt there will be any trouble at all, she’s such a big, strong horse,” he said.

“I’m really happy and everything has been faultless with her, no hiccups whatsoever.

“The Oaks is one race I’ve always wanted to win, it’s one of a handful right at the top of my list.”

Sakura Girl is raced by Andy Lau and Ross Lao of Upper Bloodstock, who purchased her for $260,000 out of Riverrock Farm’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft.

“We’ve all become very good friends and done a lot of business together and bought a lot of horses again this year,” Foote said.

Should Sakura Girl’s hot run of form continue at Trentham, she will also be in line for a trip further afield.

“More than likely it will be Australia, I haven’t looked into it too much but maybe we’ll look at the Oaks (Gr.1, 2000m) in Adelaide,” Foote said.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, last-start Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m) runaway winner and multiple Group One placegetter Babylon Berlin safely landed in Melbourne in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

“She arrived just after midnight and travelled really well so everything is looking good,” Foote said.

“She will go to Moonee Valley on Monday morning for a gallop, it will be good for her to have a look around there.”

All going well in the William Reid, the speedy daughter of All Too Hard will head to Western Australia for the inaugural running of the A$4 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot on April 15.

“If she runs up to her form, there’s a very good chance she will fly to Perth on April 3,” Foote said. “I think the track will suit her style of racing as well.”

Babylon Berlin travelled to Australia in the care of Foote’s son Ryan, who may join his father in partnership in the future.

“It’s there for him and he’s a very good horseman. I wanted him to get out and about first and not tie him down here unless he really wanted that,” he said.

“He’s very keen and only just got back from Melbourne last week after working at the sales, he’s had a few trips in the last six months.

“He worked for Ohukia Lodge at the Sydney and New Zealand Ready to Run Sales, Bhima Thoroughbreds at the Gold Coast, Carlaw Park at Karaka (yearling sale) and Maluka Thoroughbreds in Melbourne.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
New Winner for Bivouac
Godolphin have been  enjoying a winning run with their late season juveniles and it continued at Geelong on Thursday where Bivouac gelding Loving opened his account.
Another Kiwi Filly Seeking Aussie Oaks Success
Trainer Ben Foote is determined to regroup from two successive Group One disappointments.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 5
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
There were six heats for juveniles at Rosehill on Friday that featured some interesting winners including stakes-placed filly Horseshoe Hill, a couple of unraced youngsters by Zoustar and the highest priced yearling by Prague.
Another Day, Another Stakes-Winner for Wootton Bassett
A homebred for Marc Chan, quality Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Green Impact closed out his juvenile season winning the Group II Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown and he bounced back into the winner’s list at the same venue overnight.
A Passion That Lasts a Lifetime
A passion for pedigrees and thoroughbreds is often one that lasts a lifetime and so it has been for one of the co-breeders of Bravery, who contacted me this week following our earlier and very well read story on current 2YO star Cool Archie.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 6
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
North Pacific 2YO Ready to Win
Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole will head to Ellerslie with a quartet of runners on Saturday, and he is particularly upbeat about the chances of Pacific Breeze in the Network Visuals 1200.
Inglis Ready 2 Race Entries Open
Entries for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – Australasia’s most progressive 2YO Sale – are now open.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Oaks
Unbeaten this preparation, Philia will be looking to emulate her half-sister Duais in winning the $1million Group I BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday, but a swarm of up and comers are nipping at her heels, so who are they?