Orchestral Pulls Up Well, More Wins in Store for James and Wellwood

Media Release - Monday January 29

The good times are rolling for Roger James and Robert Wellwood and further feature race success beckons the duo at Te Rapa on Wednesday.

Fresh off Orchestral’s stunning victory in the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, the Cambridge trainers are looking forward to Zabmanzor stepping out over more ground in the Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m).

Zabmanzor win in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m).  Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

In between times, they have been busy scouring Karaka for fresh talent during New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale and secured four youngsters during the opening session on Sunday.

Zabmanzor has already enjoyed a lucrative preparation with a runaway victory in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) and most recently finished strongly to run second in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m).

The son of Almanzor is out of the Savabeel mare Zaborei so, on pedigree, he looks well-equipped to continue his form over more ground.

“It’s pretty exciting and he was pretty good over a mile at his last start, so 2000m should be a sweet spot for him,” Wellwood said.

“At this stage, it’s a bit race by race and as we step up in distance it gives an idea of whether they will go further and he’s certainly one that we think who can.”

Zabmanzor holds nominations for the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m).

“Everything is still in contention and we think he can be a Derby horse, my gut feeling says that he probably is,” Wellwood said.

Zabmanzor’s half-brother Zaboraci, a son of Tivaci, will also represent the stable on Wednesday in the SVS Starting Gates Maiden (2200m).

Advertisement

“He hasn’t shown as much, but he is a horse with ability. Unfortunately, he isn’t the cleanest-winded horse and that let him down last time at Wanganui,” Wellwood said.

“He couldn’t finish it off, so we’ll ride him quietly and get him into a rhythm and if he breathes well, he’ll go a nice race.”

Meanwhile, Orchestral has progressed well following her Ellerslie success with her immediate future yet to be confirmed.

“It was a very special win and she has come through it nicely and given herself every chance to do even more as a three-year-old,” Wellwood said.

“It’s up in the air what we do next, the way she put them away over a mile has really made it hard and it’s opened up a lot of races for her, so it’s a nice problem to have.

“We’ll sit down in the next day or two and make a plan, there’s options aplenty.”

James and Wellwood purchased a quartet of youngsters at Karaka on Sunday with a daughter, Lot 63, of champion sire Proisir their highest-priced.

With the newly formed TAB Racing Club, they signed for the Elsdon Park-offered filly out of the Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) winner Fairygem for $360,000.

“We bought some really nice horses and hope that one of them is as good as Prowess or Orchestral,” Wellwood said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Farnan Draws Level with Ole Kirk on 13 Winners
There’s a good battle going to decide the leading first season sire by Australian winners and with just seven days of the season to run Farnan is laying down the gauntlet to the long time division leader Ole Kirk.
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 24
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another G1 Triumph for Aga Khan Stud Bred Gelding
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who made it back to back G1 wins overnight when beating a select field in a tactical battle to win the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.