Dealer set for hit and run mission

Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood will have an eye on Sydney this weekend, but all going to plan the Kingsclere conditioners could be represented by runners in multiple Australian states in the coming month.

Group One winning four-year-old mare She’s A Dealer (Ace High) is in rude health ahead of Saturday’s Gr.3 Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m) at Randwick, bouncing through her trip across the Tasman on Monday.

“She arrived last night about 10:30 pm, travelled well, settled in freakishly well and was very fresh this morning to the extent that we normally send them over there dead ready for their first run,” James said.

“It wouldn't surprise me if she does a little bit of work over there because she's just hit the ground running by the sound of it.

“This is a hit and run mission to target some Australian black-type and I think that'll be far enough this campaign. She's booked on the plane home on Sunday.”

The daughter of Ace High was a strong last start winner of the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Trentham and has been allocated 56.5kgs in a field that is set to feature a number of battle-hardened geldings.

Meanwhile, a hit-out at the Cambridge trials on Tuesday has three-year-old filly Confesara (Toronado) back on target for a South Australian raid.

“Confesara had a little bit of a hiccup in her build-up towards the Australasian Oaks (Gr.1, 2000m) in two weeks’ time, but I think that gallop today would bring her right back on track.

“She's looking to go 2000m now, so it was an ideal outing. If she comes through today ok, she'll be on a plane next Tuesday.”

A last start winner of the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m) on Champions Day, Confesara chased home year older stablemate Dealt With (NZ) (Ace High) in a solidly run 1300m heat on Tuesday.

“Dealt With has struggled with soundness for most of his career. At his best, he's a very good galloper, and we saw that again today, especially in a fresh state,” James said.

“He is a good sprinting horse. The beauty of it is that he handled the polytrack well, and we've got a lot of poly meetings coming up.”

James and Wellwood sent out a slew of trials winners including unraced three-year-old Pre Nup (NZ) (Contributer) and talented maiden Celebrate Now (NZ) (Savabeel).

“Celebrate Now is going to be a better filly next year,” James said. “It was a shame we got a very wet track in the Oaks Prelude (Listed, 1800m) at New Plymouth. “She and Autumn Glory both failed down there.

“Autumn Glory carried on to bigger and better things, and with Celebrate Now, the track just got right to the bottom of her.

“She's always been a good galloper, but she'll probably only have two runs in the autumn and look towards next season.”

Celebrate Now carries the colours of Waikato Stud and James is looking forward to saddling a pair in the silks of the famed Matamata nursery at Ellerslie on Saturday, where Solid Gold (NZ) (Savabeel) and Waimea Bay (NZ) (Savabeel) contest the Gr.3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m).

“I thought Solid Gold’s work this morning was exceptional,” James said. “Along with Waimea Bay, we will have a couple of Waikato Stud representatives.

“Waimea Bay’s work was pleasing as well and she's stakes placed, so they'll be two worthy representatives if we can get a good footing, which normally is guaranteed at Ellerslie these days.”

With ten members of the Cambridge stable stepping out at the Cambridge trials on Tuesday, James said he was thankful for the access to a synthetic surface.

“I think they've been just a huge plus for New Zealand racing,” he said. “We're looking forward to two meetings a month for the next six months, and those horses are generating an income for New Zealand Racing, for the jockeys, the trainers, the owners, and normally they'd be in the paddock.

“We're very fortunate to have them and I know George (Rooke) is a great fan of it. They are used worldwide, synthetic tracks, and they are a big plus to all jurisdictions.

“It's a shame that some people haven't taken to them in New Zealand, but they're the losers, I believe.”