Dennis looking forward to weekend stakes trio

Deep South trainer Robert Dennis is looking north optimistically with a trio of stakes runners across Saturday’s Riccarton Park and Trentham meetings.

Dennis, a member of Southland’s famous racing and breeding family, has become a genuine force since re-establishing himself at his Ascot Park base, preparing 34 winners last season and another 19 in the current term.

On Saturday he will be represented by three feature race starters, Ziggy Stardust (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) and Champagne Linda in the Gr.3 Donaldson Brown South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton, and The Princie One (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Listed Carevets Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham.

“It’s always exciting to have horses you believe are good enough to take on black-type company, so we’re certainly looking forward to the weekend,” Dennis said.

“It’s just over two years since my family and I moved back to Invercargill and the results have been very good.

“We’re starting to build a decent team around us, we have a solid group of committed staff and thanks to the (Southland Racing) club, we’ve got very good facilities here.”

The Princie One will be the stable’s only starter at Trentham on Saturday, having won three times in Rating 75 grade before stepping up to open company with a third placing over 1200m at Wingatui late last month.

With a record of five wins and seven placings from just 13 starts, her trainer believes the blue-blooded daughter of Savabeel and The Diamond One deserves her chance at black-type.

“She’s not short of ability and even though this is the strongest field she’s been up against, I believe she’s a chance to get at least some of it.

“She’s drawn to settle on the pace, so it’s going to be interesting to see how she measures up. All going well there’s another stakes race we could consider at Trentham next week, and I’ve also sent up The Ocean Heart (NZ) (Ocean Park), who has won her last two starts, for a MAAT race on the same day.”

Closer to home at Riccarton, Dennis will have three runners, Ziggy Stardust and Champagne Linda (NZ) (Darci Brahma) in the Breeders’ Stakes, and Sailor Girl (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) in Rating 65 grade.

“Ziggy Stardust has gone from strength to strength since coming down from the north and she’s won her last two very well.

“I’m looking forward to seeing her on better ground she’s in a really good space at the moment, so the time is right to get some black-type.”

Regular rider Triston Moodley will ride the Windsor Park/Wentwood Grange-owned daughter Turn Me Loose, while fellow former northern apprentice Donovan Cooper is also staying with Darci Brahma mare Champagne Linda.

“She’s just a two-race winner and this is a bit of a throw at the stumps, but I was encouraged by her run last week at Wingatui,” Dennis said.

“She copped a couple over the head from another jockey and still finished close up fifth behind Inflamed (NZ) (Ghibellines), who’s one of the favourites in Saturday’s race.”

All three of Dennis’s weekend stakes runners began their careers in the North Island, which is a continuing trend as he strengthens relationships with northern breeders and owners.

“To begin with my stable was propped up by horses I syndicated myself, but I’ve been building a broader base, which is good from a business perspective.

“Having a wider clientele is pleasing, but we also bought four yearling fillies at Karaka in January and just one of them, a good type of filly by Embellish, still has shares available.”