Go Racing chasing Group glory on both sides of Tasman

New Zealand syndicator Go Racing is hoping for a successful start to New Zealand Cup Week, with promising filly So Fear (NZ) (Ardrossan) chasing Group One honours at Riccarton on Saturday, while Manzor Blue (NZ) (Almanzor) will fly the flag at Flemington.

The Stephen Marsh-trained So Fear will contest the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), while Manzor Blue is set to line up in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Go Racing director Albert Bosma is optimistic about both runners, particularly So Fear, who has continued to make encouraging progress through her spring preparation.

The three-year-old was an impressive 3-3/4 length winner at Hastings last month before heading south to Riccarton, where she finished third in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1400m).

“We didn’t necessarily want to lead the other day,” Bosma said. “We wanted to cover up and just hold her for one run, and that didn’t happen, but she fought on very well.

“She is flying, but there is a question mark as to whether she gets a mile, but that is for most of them.

“We are very happy with her, she is in great form and if we draw well, I think she will give it a big shout.”

Across the Tasman, the Lisa Latta-trained Manzor Blue will be looking to bounce back from an unplaced performance in the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m).

Bosma was far from disappointed with the mare's effort, believing the slowly run race played against her strengths.

“I thought her run was absolutely enormous in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup,” Bosma said. “They walked in front and they were going 14 seconds to the furlong down the back.

“I think she is in the form of her life. No one ever punts her, she is always an outsider, but if there is speed on, I think she is going to be a good chance.”

Go Racing will also have two runners in the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton on Saturday week, with Tajanis (Australia) and With Grace (NZ) (Ocean Park) set to represent the syndicator.

Tajanis, runner-up in last year's Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m), is currently in the care of South Auckland trainer Kylie Hoskin, while stablemate With Grace heads into the staying feature in outstanding form, having won her last four starts, including over 2100m at Te Rapa last week.

“I think the exciting thing about her is the sectionals she runs,” Bosma said.

“She couldn’t be in any better form, and she is very clean-winded, so we didn’t need to give her another run going into the Cup after Te Rapa.

“She is absolutely flying and has a great turn of foot. For any horse that hasn’t run two miles before there is a question mark, but she certainly gives every indication that she will run that distance.”

Go Racing's busy week will also include a runner in Tuesday's Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), with European import Soul Of Spain set to carry the syndicator's colours in Australia's most famous race.