Exciting pair primed for Group One challenge
Juvenile stablemates Excite (Wootton Bassett) and St Monica (St Mark's Basilica) are in tip-top order for early shots at Group One glory at Trentham on Saturday.
The youngsters have impressed from limited opportunities and trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood couldn’t be happier with the duo, who are viewed as exciting longer-term prospects.
However, they have earned their spots in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) following strong starts to their career.
Wootton Bassett’s son Excite has finished runner-up in both his appearance, the first behind Ronaldo (NZ) (Ribchester) at New Plymouth and then at Matamata to Seize The Day (I Am Invincible), with those two currently heading Saturday’s market.
“He’s a very nice horse and only had the one trial before he went to the races, so he’s just been finding his way,” Wellwood said.
“He continues to thrive, he’s a pretty exciting horse and while he will handle a wet track to some extent, we would rather see him on a good deck.
“Whatever we see from him this preparation, he’s going to be better as a three-year-old.”
St Monica was a clear-cut winner of her only start at Tauherenikau where the daughter of St Mark’s Basilica comfortably accounted for Butler Cabin (NZ) (Ardrossan) who had finished fifth in the Karaka Millions at his previous run.
“She’s quite immature and will definitely be better at three, but she has showed a lot of ability,” Wellwood said.
“She will relax and is quite push button, it’s quite hard to split our two but the colt is probably a bit bigger and stronger at this stage.”
Meanwhile, She’s A Dealer (NZ) (Ace High) has been in good touch preparing for the Gr.1 Listen Line On Sportnation.NZ NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).
The Ace High four-year-old has won twice this campaign and most recently ran second in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m).
“If the rain comes, it might help her from the wide draw (18) and by that time of the day it could be better out in the middle of the rack,” Wellwood said.
“It will be tough against some very good mares at weight-for-age, she would be better suited in a handicap, but we are very pleased to have her there the way she has been working.”
Stablemate December (NZ) (Shamexpress) has fared even worse with barrier 21 in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) in his bid to go one better on his runner-up finish in the event 12 months ago.
“That’s made it hard for him, the step up to 1400m will suit him well but are going to have to hope for a bit of luck from the draw,” Wellwood said.
Promising Proisir four-year-old Young Jackson (NZ) (Proisir) will kick off the team’s day when he steps out in the Resonant MAAT (1600m).
“He’s had a few races thrown at him pretty quickly and has put his hand up,” Wellwood said.
“He’s has had a little bit more space to get to this one and it will be interesting to see what he does, he’s another one who we are looking forward to getting back next spring.”
