Trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley were rapt with Bulgari’s runner-up effort behind Belle Cheval in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie last Saturday, and they are now eyeing further stakes targets at the Auckland track.
The Hello Youmzain colt showed plenty of promise when winning on debut over 1100m at Te Rapa as a juvenile but was unplaced in his subsequent five outings as a three-year-old, including a midfield performance in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) on Boxing Day.
He was unwanted by punters in the Almanzor Trophy, jumping a $62.20 outsider, but he flew home late in the hands of Sam Weatherley to finish second by 1-1/4 lengths, and his trainers were left wondering how close he could have got if he got a break earlier up the straight.
“It was a great run on the weekend,” Darryn Weatherley said.
“He travelled well and he was even held up for a few strides in the straight and it would have been interesting to see how close he could have got to her (Belle Cheval) had that not happened.
“We quite like him, he is not a very big horse, but he is a real racehorse.”
Weatherley is now weighing up his options with his colt, with the Matamata horseman contemplating keeping him to shorter trips, but he said next month’s Gr.3 Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie presents as his next logical option.
“There is a nice 1400m race at Ellerslie in a month’s time, so whether we go there or look for another 1200m, it is just up in the air at the moment,” he said.
Meanwhile, stable star Pier made a pleasing return to the trials at Matamata last week, finishing third in his 1100m Group and Listed heat.
The Proisir six-year-old was outstanding in Australia last year, winning the Listed The Wayne Wilson (1600m) at Eagle Farm and placing in the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m), Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) and Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m).
Weatherley is now eyeing home targets with his gelding, circling next week’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa as his initial assignment.
“He trialled very well, I am very happy with the way he has come up,” Weatherley said.
“He will have an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Friday and look to go to the BCD Sprint the following Saturday at Te Rapa.”
Meanwhile, Weatherley was active at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale on Sunday, purchasing lot 79, a Vanbrugh half-sister to Group Two winner Grinzinger Belle, out of Windsor Park Stud’s draft for $90,000.
“She comes from a good family,” Weatherley said. “I bought her for my wife’s aunty and cousin, they wanted something to race and hopefully breed from later on.
“I have got a Vanbrugh from Windsor Park to train ourselves and we quite like the filly. I am happy with the sire and she had a pretty good page.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
