Shakespeare to Test Derby Credentials

Media Release - Monday September 23

Johno Benner and Holly Wynyard will get a better line on three-year-old staying prospect Shakespeare when he contests Wednesday's Victoria Derby Trial (1800m) at Flemington.

ShakespeareThe Otaki trainers are aiming high with the last-start maiden winner, with the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 2 the ultimate goal.

Shakespeare will be ridden by Damian Lane on Wednesday and has drawn well in barrier three in a field of 13.

"Holly took him over last Wednesday and he's settled in well," Benner said. "We've always thought he was a Derby style of horse and we've backed ourselves and are having a go.

"We'll learn a lot from Wednesday's race, but I know the distance won't worry him.

"If he runs massive we'll press on towards the Derby. There are a few options as lead-ups after this one, races like the Vase (Gr.2, 2040m) at Moonee Valley, the Geelong Classic (Listed, 2200m) and the Caulfield Classic (Gr.3, 2000m)."

Shakespeare, a son of Poet's Voice, had three starts as a two-year-old and was placed against the older horses in a maiden 1400m at Otaki then put aside after finishing seventh in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie last April.

He has had two starts this campaign, finishing third at Woodville over 1300m then winning in good style over 1650m at Waverley late last month.

Shakespeare could be joined in Melbourne by stablemate Wyndspelle, who finished fourth behind Melody Belle in last Saturday's Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings.

"He probably should have run second," Benner said. "He was tardy away and got in a horror spot then never really got rolling until the last 100m. He ran through the line well, but was never going to beat the mare (Melody Belle)."

With Melody Belle now set to attempt to complete the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) on October 5, Wyndspelle is more likely to try his luck in Australia.

Advertisement

"I've got to talk it over with the owners, but my thinking is he can't beat Melody Belle in the Livamol so we'd only be running for second," Benner said.

"We'd have to pay the late nomination for the Livamol and even if he did run second it wouldn't help his value as a stallion prospect any more. He'd be better off running second in one of the good ones in Melbourne."

The likely Melbourne targets for Wyndspelle are the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 12 and Gr.1 Kennedy Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 2.

"If he goes over it would be just for the two races and he could then come back and have a break and get ready for races like the Thorndon Mile (Gr.1, 1600m) and the Otaki Group One WFA (Gr.1, 1600m)," Benner said. "We won't run into Melody Belle in those ones."

Benner and Wynyard have a team of 20 in work and a few of them will be starting at their local Otaki meeting on Thursday, including the two-year-old Piaggio, who is part-owned by Benner.

Piaggio is a son of the stable's 2014 Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner Vespa, who went on to win a total of eight races including the Gr.1 Diamond Stakes (1200m) and Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m).

Piaggio won at the Foxton trials last month and was third behind Cool Aza Beel over 800m on debut at Wanganui.

"He'd had a few issues going into Wanganui and is over those now," Benner said. "I expect him to be right in it on Thursday." - NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
$400,000 Karaka Ready to Run Purchase May Be Next Star for Castelvecchio
The maiden three-year-old race on Foxbridge Plate Day at Te Rapa is developing a reputation for unveiling bright talent, and a superb debut by Quantum Legend on Saturday suggested he could be heading for the top of that list.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.
Redemption for Trap For Fools in Mackinnon Stakes
After being deemed not good enough to gain a place in the Cox Plate, Trap For Fools defied the Irish Derby winner Latrobe and the Victoria Derby winner Extra Brut in Saturday's $2 million Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington and credit trainer Jarrod McLean with the first Group 1 win of his career.
Viridine Back On Top in Doveton Stakes
Viridine looked a world beater when kickstarting his career with four consecutive wins, culminating with the Group II Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick, but it has been lean pickings since.
Winning Return for the Best in Australia - Via Sistina
Set to be crowned Australia’s Horse of the Year for last season, the mighty Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina (IRE) returned on a rain soaked track at Randwick on Saturday to win the $1million Group I ATC Winx Stakes (1400m).
2018 Italian Derby Winner Sold to Hong Kong
 Paul P Chow and  Tartan Meadow Bloodstock are excited to announce that we have successfully purchased Summer Festival, the winner of the Group II Derby Italiano 2018, for a valued client from Hong Kong.
Wuddzz Caps Fine 24 Hours For Dwyer
Handy stayer Wuddzz came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick.
Jenni Lets Loose At The Valley
Smart staying mare Jennivamoose recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue.
Carlyon Stakes To Baraqiel – Second SW For Snitzel
Successful in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last time in, Sniztel’s 7yo son Baraqiel continued his outstanding record at the Moonee Valley circuit, resuming to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up, highlighting potential Group 1 spring aims.
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.