Ellerslie has been the home of several of Orchestral’s career highlights, and trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are hoping she can add another on Saturday when she contests the $1 million Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m).
The daughter of Savabeel was unbeaten at the Auckland track as a three-year-old, stringing together three consecutive victories, including the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).
This season she was victorious in the $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) in January before placing in last month’s Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m).
“She got held up for a couple of strides (last start in the Otaki-Maori WFA Classic) from one that was stopping in front of her over the mile,” Wellwood said. “It took her a while to get through her gears but once she hit top speed, she really took ground off them.”
Wellwood has been pleased with her progression over the last fortnight and is looking forward to stepping her up to 2000m.
“We really feel that we have got her peaking at the right time, and it is going to be quite exciting to see her back over 2000m for the first time this preparation at a track she loves so much and has had so much success at,” he said.
“Clearly El Vencedor is going to be very hard to beat, he is at the top of his game, but if we get a fair run in transit, they are going to have a hell of a fight.”
Australian targets await Orchestral post-Champions Day, with Wellwood keen to add to her previous victory across the Tasman in last year’s Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).
“There are a number of options, the Australian Cup (Gr.1, 2000m), Tancred (Gr.1, 2400m) and Ranvet (Gr.1, 2000m), but the Tancred is probably number one at this stage,” he said. “It would be lovely to pick-up a Group One as an older horse over there, and we always love getting over there and competing.”
Wellwood is also looking forward to having a two-pronged attack in the $1.25 million Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Saturday courtesy of Grey Area and Oceana Dream.
“They are both in grand order,” he said.
“Oceana Dream was superb (when third in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas, 2100m) and I think the mile-and-a-half is going to be no trouble to him, and likewise Grey Area. He (Grey Area) didn’t get a lot of clear air in his last start at Ellerslie, but he’s had a look around there and I am looking forward to seeing him step out in the Derby too.”
Kingsclere will also be represented in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) by Zormella, who replaced stablemate Dealt With on Monday for slot holders Kerri Spence Bloodstock and Clotworthy Racing after he pulled up sore following a track gallop over the weekend. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
