Group I-winning Kiwis trialling on Friday

AAP - Thursday August 17

Some of New Zealand's best horses will be on show before racing gets underway at Taupo on Friday.

Advertisement
Australian Oaks winner Bonneval. Photo: Steve Hart

Bonneval, Gingernuts and Jon Snow, all Group I winners during the Sydney autumn carnival, will be among those contesting Friday's two 1100m-heats ahead of spring assignments on both sides of the Tasman.

Trainer Stephen Marsh will be there with two of the stable's elite winners, Thee Auld Floozie and Sofia Rosa along with Brisbane Cup winner Chocante.

"My three are all coming up great and they will just be enjoying a trip away and a nice day out," Marsh told NZ Racing Desk.

"They won't be put under pressure.

"Thee Auld Floozie looks great and she's having a faultless preparation.

"She'll definitely run in the first two (triple crown) legs at Hawke's Bay and then we'll make a decision where we go.

"Sofia Rosa will go for all three legs and we'll also be putting in a nomination for the Caulfield Cup."

Sofia Rosa won the 2016 Australian Oaks but her Caulfield Cup campaign was aborted after three below-par runs in Melbourne last spring.

Melbourne Cup hopeful Chocante will be heading straight to Australia to open his campaign next month.

"He'll run in the Chelmsford Stakes on September 2," Marsh said. "We know Winx will be there, but he couldn't win over a mile anyway and it's a nice race to kick off in."

Chocante will then run in the Group III Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) a fortnight later before ending his Sydney sojourn with a start in the Group I Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on September 30.

Advertisment
More Reading...
First Group Victory For $3.5m Earner Front Page
Having raced at Flemington, Rosehill and Ascot at his last three starts, the Matthew Dale trained Front Page travelled to his fourth different state in as many starts, winning the $300,000 G2 BRC Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm.
Third Group 1 Victory For Zoustar’s Sensational Joliestar
Cambridge Stud's outstanding Zoustar mare Joliestar was simply sensational, charging late to win the $1m BRC Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm, her third Group 1 victory.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 7
Here is the full list of 123 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Cosmic Fire a New SW for Cosmic Force
Sunshine Coast trainer Billy Healey was thrilled to have a stakes-winner on a big carnival day at Eagle Farm with his talented Cosmic Force three year-old gelding Cosmic Fire soaring to new heights when taking out the $200,000 Listed BRC Queensland Day Stakes (1200m).
First Stakes Success For Zoustar’s Zaszou
Becoming the second stakes winner of the meeting for Widden Stud’s Zoustar, the Philip Stokes trained Zaszou captured the $160,000 Listed BRC Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) in a photo finish.
Group 1 Queensland Oaks For So You Think's You Wahng
With form around some of the best 3yo staying fillies in the country, the Kris Lees trained You Wahng was too strong, winning the $700,000 Group 1 BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm.
Third Generation Epsom Derby Hero for Coolmore
The Group I Epsom Derby (1m4f) was the big highlight overnight in the UK and the scratching of Godolphin owned favourite Ruling Court due to track condition meant it was an open affair with the second string horse from Ballydoyle in Lambourn coming up trumps and also bringing joy for the Aussie offshoot of his family.
Capitalist Colt Records Back To Back Wins
Off the back of an explosive victory last time out at Hawkesbury when breaking his maiden by just shy of four lengths, Nathan Doyle’s Hidden Motive (Capitalist) justifiably jumped the short-priced favourite in the $160,000 Precise Air Handicap (1100m) at Randwick.
Bold Maison Louis Resolute In Queensland Derby
The training partnership of John O’Shea and Tom Charlton continues to flourish as evidenced by a stable quinella in Saturday’s Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) as Maison Louis defeated King Of Thunder in a perfect result for the Sydney trainers.
New Stakes-Winner for Snitzel – Stradbroke Possible
The Listed $160,000 BRC Spear Chief Quality (1500m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday delivered a new stakes-winner for champion sire Snitzel with progressive four year-old gelding Transatlantic taking victory as a well backed favourite.