King hoping to continue sparkling form at Ellerslie
Benji King’s small stable has been in sparkling form through the summer-autumn period and he’s hoping for more at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Promising three-year-old Burnerphone (NZ) (Microphone) takes impressive credentials into the MyRacehorse 1600, while another of his recent winners, What Next (NZ) (Savile Row), steps up to Rating 65 grade in the Elsdon Park 1500.
Three years into his training career, Matamata-based King has good reason to be well satisfied with a overall return of nine wins from 59 starters, but it’s the more recent detail that’s especially impressive.
Beginning with his first win this season in early December with Predominance (NZ) (Preferment), he has saddled up 21 raceday starters for six wins, which equates to a strike-rate of a win from every 3.5 starters.
As well as Predominance, he has won with Mid Ocean (NZ) (Ocean Park), Burnerphone, My Gabriel (NZ) (Savile Row), What Next and Up With Ace (NZ) (Ace High), all of that from a racing string that numbers no more than 10.
While making every effort to keep his feet on the ground, King is looking forward to adding to his tally this weekend.
“I’m definitely happy with how things are going, but I’m not getting carried away with stats or anything. We’ve been very fortunate and just working hard to get the best results for the people who have supported us,” he said.
The “us” in that statement includes King’s partner Lena Jones, with whom he operates Foxhill Thoroughbreds from a base north of Matamata at Walton, combined with leased stabling on the Matamata racecourse.
King’s two most recent winners, What Next and Up With Ace, were also his first double and most notably at Hawera, where Jones grew up, on March 25.
“That was great, I was so pleased for Lena, to go back to her old hometown and get those two winners,” King said.
On Saturday What Next will back up from that maiden 1600m win to take on Rating 65 company, although a draw of 10 means a final decision on a start has yet to be made.
“He looks very promising, that was just his second start, but I would have preferred a kinder draw, so we’ll make our minds up over the next couple of days.”
King and a big team of fellow owners also have every reason to be encouraged by what Burnerphone has achieved to date, with a record of one win, three seconds and a further three minor placings from seven starts.
At her last start in three-year-old 1500m company at Ellerslie on Champions Day, the Microphone filly finished second in a three-way photo finish. The winner by a short head was the highly rated filly Confesara (Toronado), while subsequent Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1600m) winner Origin Of Love (Snitzel) was another short head back in third place.
Burnerphone cleared maiden grade over 1600m at Ellerslie in late January, while another form reference is her previous start second at Matamata to Circus Trix (NZ) (Circus Maximus), who finished second to Geneva (NZ) (Time Test) in last Saturday’s Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham.
“It’s rock solid form and fair to say we’re pretty excited by what she’s done to date,” King said.
“I’ve been looking forward to stepping her up in trip, but while she’s running well over these shorter distances I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t try her at 1600m on Saturday.
“If she was to run well again, I’d like to start her in the Championship Stakes (Gr.3, 2100m) back at Ellerslie later in the month. That would give us a good line on plans for next season.”
