Wanganui Guineas Winner Sold to Hong Kong

Media Release - Thursday September 26

Exciting three-year-old Cooga Doon will continue his racing career in Asia after his seven-figure sale to Hong Kong interests on Thursday.

Cooga Doon - Race Images Peter RuberyThe undefeated son of Makfi won the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1340m) by nine lengths last start and trainer Fraser Auret said the phone has been red hot since then.

"There was a huge amount of interest in him from agents from many different countries," Auret said. "It was quite overwhelming the interest that was in the horse.

"As of this (Thursday) morning he is officially sold. He is going to do his future racing in Hong Kong.

"It was Brian Hedley in partnership with Greg Zarra from Australasian Bloodstock that got the deal done."

After his last-start heroics Cooga Doon was installed as a second favourite behind Catalyst in the TAB's Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) futures market, but he will now join Casper Fownes' barn and Auret believes he will thrive in the Hong Kong stable environment.

"He is a very relaxed type of horse that really does enjoy the stable environment," he said.

"He's a good level-headed type and is a very good eater. I believe from that perspective he ticks those boxes (for Hong Kong). He's just so untapped, he had very good ability right from day one.

"It's very exciting that we will be following his future with great interest."

While Auret admits Cooga Doon is a big loss to the stable, he said with the state of the domestic racing scene in New Zealand his sale was inevitable.

Advertisement

"It is a big loss for the stable, but with how domestic racing is at the moment it gets to the point where these type of horses can't possibly be retained.

"It is a big loss, but we move on and rebuild basically."

Another promising three-year-old in the stable could assist with that rebuild despite a luckless unplaced run in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday.

Trifolium was heading into the race off the back of a fresh-up runner-up performance in the Listed The O'Leary's Fillies Stakes (1200m), but Auret said she never had the opportunity to unwind on the weekend.

"She was a little bit stuck for early speed and ended up in a bit of an awkward spot. It was basically race over from that point," he said.

"She was basically under a hold from the 600m to the winning post. There were a few other unlucky runners in there, but she didn't really get a crack at them, which was a bit of a shame.

"In these high pressure races there is always going to be some hard luck stories and on this occasion she was one of them."

Auret said he would now test the daughter of Krupt over more ground to see if she can handle the step-up to a mile for the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November.

"We are going to step her up to 1400m. She is still currently in the 1000 Guineas, so we will just try her over a bit more ground and that will dictate what path we take." – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Another Aloisia?
OTI Racing had a lot of success in spring 2017 with a tried Kiwi purchase in high class filly Aloisia and may have found one to follow in her footsteps.
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.
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).
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.
New Star for Hellbent – Savvy Hallie Wins G2 Silver Shadow
Yarraman Park’s Hellbent has made his name with brilliant Group I winning mares Magic Time and Benedetta with exciting filly Savvy Hallie adding her name his list of stakes-winners with a stylish victory in the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Makfi Gelding Wins Wanganui Guineas
Lightly raced three-year-old Cooga Doon made it two wins from two starts when he took out the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1340m) in sensational fashion on Saturday.
One to Watch - Te Rapa
A dashing grey filly from the family of brilliant Australian Group II winner Pure Elation was a One to Watch in Friday in New Zealand.
Third Black Type Win For Snitzel’s Lazzura
A member of the Waller team to hold a dual acceptance leading into Saturday’s Randwick meeting, it was the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) where 4yo Snitzel mare Lazzura came out on top, recording her third black type victory.
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.
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.