Aljay Wins Listed Sothys Spring Classic

Media Release - Saturday October 26

Respected trainer Kevin Myers completed a winning treble at Riccarton on Saturday with a dominant performance by Aljay in the Listed Sothys Spring Classic (2000m).

Myers sent six horses south from his Wanganui base for Saturday’s meeting, and he came away with victories by Just Charlie in the NZB Airfreight Road to Jericho (3000m), He’s Lucid in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m), and Aljay in the Spring Classic. He also picked up placings with Kopua in the TAB Mile Trial (1400m), Yolo in the Road to Jericho and Sheaf in the Helston Associates Rating 75 (1800m).

Aljay winning the Listed Sothys Spring Classic (2000m) at Riccarton on Saturday.  Photo: Ajay Berry (Race Images South)

Aljay faced a difficult task in Saturday’s Spring Classic, carrying 59kg while all of his 11 rivals had either 53kg or 53.5kg. But the Rock ‘N’ Pop gelding, who won the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at this venue two years ago, rose to the challenge and was too tough and too good.

Ridden by Jonathan Riddell, Aljay settled towards the back of the field before swooping around the outside to stake his claim at the top of the straight.

The seven-year-old powered through the testing Heavy10 ground and hit the front, but it briefly looked like he was going to face a stern challenge down the straight from Dazzling Miss, Fellini and Lombardi.

Aljay saw them coming and lifted again, forging clear and opening up a two-length winning margin over Dazzling Miss.

From a 43-start career, Aljay has now recorded 10 wins, eight seconds and seven thirds. He has earned $523,387 in stakes for Myers, who shares ownership with Charlie Gestro. Aljay is named for Gestro’s initials, LJ.

Advertisement

Myers paid $39,000 to buy Aljay from Ardsley Stud’s draft at the 2019 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka.

Saturday’s Spring Classic was an unexpected first ride on Aljay for Riddell.

“He’s a lovely old horse and I was lucky to get the ride on him today,” Riddell said. “I was supposed to be riding another runner, but then Kevin put this horse in and there was nothing else I could ride at the weights. So I was lucky that Kevin put me on the horse, and I appreciate that.

“Gee, he’s a tough horse. Those track conditions didn’t worry him at all. He was effectively carrying a stone more than the rest of the field, which is not easy, but he did it comfortably in the end.

“Kevin owns the horse too along with Charlie, so they’ve made a bit of money with him, the two old fellas!”

The TAB now rates Aljay a $5 chance to claim a second New Zealand Cup victory at Riccarton on November 16. He shares favouritism with last year’s runner-up Nest Egg. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - Sothys Spring Classic LR 2000m

Riccarton Park Track: Heavy(10) Time: 2:16.75
1
Aljay
- 7g Rock 'n' Pop (AUS) x Albacora (NZ) (Lord Ballina (AUS))
Tnr: K T Myers Rdr: J K Riddell 59
2
2
Dazzling Miss
- 6m Proisir (AUS) x Dazzling (NZ) (Star Way (GB))
Tnr: Ms T Rae Rdr: L Sutherland 53
3
2.8
Lombardi
- 6g Verdi (NZ) x Queen's Pal (NZ) (Kingmaker (NZ))
Tnr: B S Smith Rdr: L T Hemi 53
4
4.1
Fellini
- 5g Belardo (IRE) x Silke Top (GB) (Librettist (USA))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: W F Pinn 53
5
9.6
Mayor Of Norwood
- 6g Ghibellines (AUS) x Gallant Babe (NZ) (Gallant Guru (AUS))
Tnr: B & S Anderton Rdr: T R Moseley 53
6
11.8
Jon Ol Rocco
- 5g Time Test (GB) x Famous Attraction (AUS) (Domesday (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Carston Rdr: Ms K Williams 53.5
7
12.4
Sacred Dream
- 5m Sacred Falls (NZ) x Dream Lass (NZ) (Dream Well (FR))
Tnr: R C Dennis Rdr: A Comignaghi 53
8
12.7
Miss Layla
- 5m Burgundy (NZ) x La Etoile (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: Anna Furlong Rdr: J J Fawcett 53
9
23.4
Star Ballot
- 6g Tarzino (NZ) x Cast Your Vote (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: A C Goindasamy 53
10
24.2
Denarau
- 6m So You Think (NZ) x Full Sun (GB) (Cacique (IRE))
Tnr: Ms A Frye Rdr: S L Wynne 53.5
11
26.5
Deep Beauty
- 8g Deep Field (AUS) x Forest Beauty (AUS) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Prendergast Rdr: Donovan Cooper 53
12
49.5
Fierce Flight
- 6g Flying Artie (AUS) x First Bloom (AUS) (Dylan Thomas (IRE))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: K L Chung 53
More Reading...
Good News Week for Geisel Park
Geisel Park’s black-type mare Laced Up Heels is in foal off a maiden cover to Champion Australian Sire Zoustar and an orphan foal has found a new mum.
Winning Return for Blueblood I Am Invincible Filly
Last seen finishing an unlucky fourth in the $1million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic in May, speedy I Am Invincible filly Sisstainable returned from a spell at Moonee Valley on Friday night to score a tenacious win.
A Century of NZB National Yearling Sales Success: Cox Plate
Moonee Valley’s A$6m Group One WS Cox Plate (2040m) is known as the weight-for-age championship of Australasia and has been won by many of Australia and New Zealand’s greatest thoroughbreds.
Early Return Home for Cogburn
Group I winning Not This Time son Cogburn (USA) will return to WinStar Farm in Kentucky earlier than planned after disappointing fertility results during his first Australian covering season at Widden Stud.
NZB Breeze Up Footage Now Available to View Online
The highly anticipated Breeze Up videos for NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale are now available to view online at nzb.co.nz.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
The Rosehill trials on Friday morning featured a couple of juvenile heats and both winners came out of the Widden Stud draft at Magic Millions with one topping the sale at $2.8million and the other selling for a modest $150,000.
Melbourne Cup Next for UK Raider Onesmoothoperator
Winner of the Group III Geelong Cup last year at his first Australian appearance, UK trained stayer Onesmoothoperator (USA) had not won a race since then but was back in the winning groove last night take out the $750,000 Group II MVRC Moonee Valley Cup (2500m).
Sires With Winners - Friday October 24
Here is the full list of 60 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Second Wootton Bassett Son Added to Coolmore Stallion Roster for 2026
Set to join Camille Pissarro as the second G1 winning son of Wootton Bassett on the stallion roster for Ireland in 2026 is Henri Matisse, who this time last year was about to claim his first G1 victory at the Breeders Cup meeting at Del Mar.
Magic Millions First Digital Sale - Opportunities Aplenty
Bidding is now open for the first Magic Millions Digital Sale with opportunities across all levels of the market for prospective buyers.