Debut Win for 2YO Domain Ace

Media Release - Monday April 1

Domain Ace may find himself back on a truck to the Central Districts chasing Group One glory this weekend, after an impressive debut win at Otaki.

The Swiss Ace juvenile generated interest prior to his first race-day appearance at the Easter Monday meeting, holding a nomination for Saturday’s Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham.

Domain Ace strides clear in the Farmlands Otaki 2YO Maiden (1200m) at Otaki on Easter Monday.   Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images PN)

With one creditable trial to prepare at Taupo last month, Domain Ace entered the Farmlands Otaki 2YO Maiden (1200m) at a quote of $14, in a market dominated by the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Truth Or Dare at $1.60.

Jumping positively away from barrier five, Domain Ace sat off pacemaker First Gear down the back straight and the pair were set to fight it out at the 250m, the Team Rogerson representative proving too strong to score by 1 & ¼ lengths under Craig Grylls.

Originally set to be sold by Rogerson Bloodstock in the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, co-trainer Graeme Rogerson elected to keep Domain Ace after he was passed in when failing to meet his $50,000 reserve.

“I think he’s something very special, this is a good horse,” Rogerson said.

“I had him in the Ready To Run Sales, but he went that well that I decided to keep him.

“He couldn’t have done any more today, he jumped, he sat, and did everything right. You can’t ask for much more than that in his first start to the races. I thought it was a pretty good field as well.”

Rogerson indicated the two-year-old would return to his Tuhikaramea base on Monday night, before any decision would be made regarding the $450,000 juvenile feature. 

“He’s a beautiful quiet horse. He’s coming home tonight so we’ll see how he travels, and then he’ll go down to the farm in the day time,” he said. 

Advertisement

“It’s a big ask, especially to travel back down to Trentham. The four owners will make up our minds on Wednesday.”

Among the ownership group is Merv and Meg Butterworth, loyal clients of Rogerson and owners of champion pacer Copy That.

 “Merv has about 20 gallopers with me, including Sharp’N’Smart and Just As Sharp. He’s had a lot of nice horses,” Rogerson said.

Another progeny of Swiss Ace, Just As Sharp will contest the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m) at the Trentham meeting, after placing 3rd, 2nd, and 4th behind star filly Orchestral in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).

“It shows how good this horse is with Orchestral winning on Saturday, we followed her in the Derby but she was just too strong in the end. He went super there, as in the Avondale Guineas and the Karaka Million 3YO,” Rogerson said.

“I think he’s got the makings of a very good horse, although we are getting offers left, right and centre from Hong Kong for him. We will see what happens over the next couple of weeks.

“I love Swiss Ace’s, I own Makabar and race him on lease to the Pitman’s, and he won nicely down at Riverton as well today.”

Rogerson will also be represented by Group Two performer Solidify in the three-year-old 1600m event at Pukekohe Park on Saturday, the gelding dropping back in distance after a 13th placed finish in the New Zealand Derby. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Farmlands Otaki Mdn 1200m

Otaki Track: Good(4) Time: 1:11.88
1
Domain Ace
- 2g Swiss Ace (AUS) x Internet (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: C J Grylls 57.5
NZB Ready To Run Sale $175,000
Seller: Westbury Stud
Buyer: Rogerson Bloodstock
2
1.3
First Gear
- 2g Derryn (AUS) x A'guin Ace (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: K Gray Rdr: L J Allpress 57.5
3
2.1
Ballon d'Or
- 2g U S Navy Flag (USA) x Ireland's Teardrop (IRE) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Peter & Shaun Mckay Rdr: M Hashizume 57.5
4
6.1
Truth Or Dare
- 2g Vanbrugh (AUS) x Thetruthisoutthere (NZ) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: W B Kennedy 57.5
5
6.9
Miner
- 2g Tivaci (AUS) x Gold Fever (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Peter & Shaun Mckay Rdr: J K Riddell 57.5
6
7.9
Myakkabelle
- 2f War Decree (USA) x Myakka Park (IRE) (Lawman (FR))
Tnr: Ben & Ryan Foote Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55.5
7
8.9
Eleanor Dumont
- 2f Ace High (AUS) x Tin Goose (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: G N Nicholson Rdr: L T Hemi 55.5
8
9.7
Vitaci
- 2f Tivaci (AUS) x Our Kismet (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: R J Bergerson Rdr: K Asano 55.5
9
9.9
Ivy Lee
- 2f Rageese (AUS) x Chateau D'yquem (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: J G Bary Rdr: Joe Doyle 55.5
More Reading...
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
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.
Ace juvenile Wins Starway Stakes
Exciting juvenile Domain Ace maintained his perfect record with a dominant win in Saturday’s Listed TAB Starway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).