Furlong seeking poly winners as promising 3YO sold

Christchurch trainer Anna Furlong will be keeping a keen eye on the progress of promising three-year-old Spill It (NZ) (Noverre) after the talented youngster was sold to Australia following his impressive Riccarton victory earlier this month.

The son of Noverre broke through at his second start over 1200m at Riccarton and will now continue his career in Sydney with champion trainer Chris Waller.

“He's going to Chris Waller's,” Furlong said.

“He's obviously going to be better on top of the ground and over a bit more of a trip, he's just got that beautiful, clean, correct stride.

“He's got good stride length and he's certainly going to mature into a lovely three-year-old.

“He's been a pleasure. He's got a wonderful nature, just does his job. He's very easy to handle, and he's just a pet, really.”

Furlong believes Spill It has plenty of improvement ahead as he continues to strengthen.

“I'd like to think he could come up in the spring,” she said. “But he was quite rangy and needed a bit of time developing physically. You will probably see the best of him in the autumn.”

Furlong will have three runners at the Riccarton synthetic meeting on Thursday, with four-year-old mares Cocomora and Vienna Game lining up in the Remembering Richard Johnson Maiden (1400m).

Cocomora (NZ) (Tivaci) has been a model of consistency without managing to break through, and Furlong is hoping she can convert that form into a maiden victory this preparation.

“She’s been very consistent without getting over the line, so she's been a little bit frustrating,” she said.

“She’s come up well this prep, but she needs to put her hand up and do the business this time in.”

Furlong is prepared to forgive Vienna Game (NZ) (War Decree) for her most recent performance and believes the small field should give her every opportunity.

“Probably just put a line through last start,” she said. “It's a small field, so hopefully she can have every chance.”

Three-win mare My Sharona (NZ) (Vespa) will step out in the Rating 75 Benchmark (1400m), with Furlong pleased with the five-year-old heading into the assignment.

“She enjoys the poly surface, and she's in good form,” she said.

“Benchmark 75 grade is fairly strong in Canterbury, so we will have to wait and see how she goes, but Jack Taplin gets on with her really well.

“She just keeps getting ugly draws, so fingers crossed that she gets as soft a run as possible.”