Emerging sprinter Satono Glow (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) has already made one trip to Melbourne to start her campaign, and if all goes to plan, she will be making another at the end of the month.

A setback leading into her scheduled resumption in Sydney led trainers John O'Shea and Tom Charlton to reroute to Victoria where the three-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Cap D'Antibes Stakes (1100m) at Flemington.

While there was the option to stay in the southern capital, Charlton said they decided to bring her home for Saturday's Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill, knowing she already had a solid grounding down the straight course for her ultimate aim of the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on October 28.

"This race – bringing her back home and preparing her from here – we thought would be preferable to going to the Danehill (Stakes)," Charlton said.

"She's had two goes at the straight, so we don't feel like we need to do that by any means. We know each time we've prepared her from Sydney and trucked her down (she's won), so we'll try to replicate that, all being well, in the Coolmore.

"The Roman Consul has such a good record going into the Coolmore in recent years and that was the main factor."

The only filly in the Roman Consul Stakes field, Satono Glow was the subject of an Everest feeler, with one slot holder contacting connections to gauge if they might entertain a start in the $20 million race.

Given her relative inexperience, the idea was quickly quashed, but Charlton hoped it would be a different scenario in 12 months.

"We felt that wasn't the right race for her. We're trying to build her profile and she's still young," he said.

"We didn't think it was the right set-up for her at this stage. Hopefully next year."

By Rich Hill Stud stallion Satono Aladdin, Satono Glow was a $260,000 purchase by O'Shea Charlton Racing and James Bester Bloodstock from Windsor Park Stud's Book 1 draft at the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka.

She is out of the Pins mare Electrode (NZ) and is a half-sister to Group Two-placed Kitty Flash (NZ) (Ace High). Electrode is a winning half-sister to Group Three winner So Wotif (NZ) (Iffraaj) and Listed winner Bonniegirl (NZ) (Darci Brahma). - NZ Racing Desk

Scott shooting for fourth Livamol

Andrew Scott has a strong record in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), having won it on three occasions, and he will be shooting for a fourth when he heads to Hastings on Saturday.

The Matamata trainer scored his first win in the race in 2005 with Xcellent (NZ) (Pentire), when it was known as the Kelt Capital Stakes, while training in partnership with the late Michael Moroney. He doubled his tally 11 years later with Willie Cazals (Aussie Rules), who he trained with Lance O’Sullivan, his current training partner, and the Wexford Stables pair repeated the result last year with Waitak (NZ) (Shocking).

“Xcellent was a tremendous talent and he beat a really good horse in Distinctly Secret (NZ) (Distinctly North) that day,” Scott said. “He was on his way to Melbourne and he was a hell of a racehorse and you go down there with a different kind of confidence.

“It was a wonderful result with Willie Cazals, and a real team effort. We brought him back from Hong Kong and he worked his way back up to fitness. We always believed that when he got to the 2000m and was fit he was going to perform well. It was a huge celebration.

“Waitak certainly deserved that (win last year) and it was a great result for the team.

“All three are very different horses. To win the race it generally takes a really good horse and that is the one thing all three horses had in common.”

Waitak holds Wexfords’ hopes in this year’s edition, and heads into the race in great form, having won the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Hastings a fortnight ago, replicating the feat he accomplished 12 months ago.

Scott said he has progressed nicely since that run and he is expecting another bold showing from barrier four, with Craig Grylls aboard.

“The team is pleased with him. He has had a good fortnight,” Scott said.

“We went down there for the Howden thinking that he was in a position in his campaign where he was going to improve a good deal. He was aided by the run and got the result that we had all hoped.

“We think that he has genuinely improved. Craig galloped him on Tuesday morning, he is a terrific worker and puts a lot of energy into everything he does. We think he is going as good as last year, but he probably runs into a stronger field than last year. We appreciate the fact that his rivals will improve coming out of the Howden as well.

“He is going to meet some nice ground down there. He has got a beautiful barrier where he is going to hopefully be aided by a nice run in the race. That is important because that is what it really comes down to on the day because the quality of the field is so even, and generally in the Group One weight-for-age races it comes down to who gets the best run in the race, and with that gate it is certainly going to aid his chances on the weekend.

“He is a happy, sound horse that we know can run out a strong 2000m. We are very hopeful of a competitive performance on the weekend.”

Wexford will also be seeking stakes success at Hastings with Checkmate (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) in the Gr.3 Timberspan Spring Sprint (1400m), with the son of Mongolian Khan second-up after running sixth over 1200m at Hastings last month.

“He will be a big improver this weekend,” Scott said. “He has taken good benefit with the run. He will meet quicker ground and comes in well at the handicap.

“Warren (Kennedy, jockey) knows him best and the way he has worked certainly indicates that he is going to be a really good chance on the weekend.

“He has raced in some really good races and been competitive. We think he is going to have a good year. Hopefully he is really close on the weekend.”

Scott is also buoyed by the prospects of exciting three-year-old Coniston (NZ) (Wootton Bassett), who will have his third career start in the Thomson’s Suits 3YO (1400m).

The son of Wootton Bassett was a beaten favourite on debut before winning convincingly at his home track last month, and Scott is confident of another pleasing effort on Saturday.

“He is a horse that continues to improve,” Scott said. “He went an improver's run on debut and made good ground from a wide gate. On his home track, with the benefit of his debut under his belt, he executed so much better.

“He has drawn a little wider (9), but the 1400m is right up his alley. We think he has gone the right way post his last run. He takes another step up in class, but we think he can cope. He is a beautiful colt and we think he is going the right way. All going well, he is really storming home and still on track.”

Coniston is on a path towards the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month, and he will likely have one more run in the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa on Labour Day before heading south.

“There is still a bit of water to go under the bridge, but we can only hope that his form stays strong and he ends up in the race (2000 Guineas),” Scott said.

Meanwhile, the stable will be represented by a quartet of runners at Taupo on Friday, including two promising debutants in Mega Roc (NZ) (El Roca) and Finozino (NZ) (Hello Youmzain), who will contest the Placemakers Taupo 1100m) and Generation Homes (1100m) respectively.

“We have liked Megarock, a filly we got from the Ready to Run Sale this time last year,” Scott said.
“We have taken our time with her and been patient with her, and she has trialled really well. She galloped well here (Matamata) last Saturday morning, and we think she will debut well.

“Finozino is a filly that we got from the Karaka yearling sales and her trials have been very good. She is a filly that we have just taken our time with in the spring. She is from Eight Carat’s family, so they get better with age. We think she is going to step out well.” - Joshua Smith

Cambridge Stud stalwart Margaret Fife remembered

Long-time Cambridge Stud employee and respected Waikato horsewoman Margaret Fife is being remembered for her extraordinary work ethic, loyalty and willingness to help others following her passing last week.

Margaret passed away at Waikato Hospital last Friday, having spent a significant part of her working life alongside Sir Patrick Hogan at Cambridge Stud and Monarch Farm.

Her involvement in the thoroughbred industry stretched well beyond Cambridge Stud. During a storied career she also worked for Jeff McVean at Glen Oaks Stud, now known as The Oaks, as well as Highview Stud and Ascot Farm, while assisting with accounts for international clients with thoroughbred interests in New Zealand.

Margaret's contribution was far from confined to the office. In her earlier years at Cambridge Stud she was hands-on with the horses and regularly foaled mares alongside Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan.

A familiar figure throughout the thoroughbred industry, particularly during the busy sales periods, Margaret worked largely behind the scenes and was renowned for her attention to detail and a work ethic that rarely allowed her to stand still.

Former Cambridge Stud General Manager Marcus Corban said Margaret's contribution extended across almost every aspect of the business.

“She was a very hard-working and relentless person. She was very dedicated to the job,” Corban said.

“She never stopped working. She was just one of those people who helped a lot of people.

“At the sales she would be the last person there cleaning up in the hospitality tent and then she would be back there first thing in the morning setting it all back up.

“She did all the accounts, she did all the broodmare returns. She just never stopped.

“She was one of a kind.”

Margaret's contribution to the wider equestrian community was equally significant, particularly through her association with the Waikato Hunt.

She served as the Hunt's secretary and treasurer for 39 years and was made a Life Member in 2003.

The Waikato Hunt remembered Margaret as an extraordinary horsewoman who served the organisation with wisdom, loyalty and exceptional attention to detail.

She was also closely associated with the Taupo Hunt and remained a familiar presence at Hunt events, taking particular pride in the Waikato Hunt's property and kennels at Tirau.

Known affectionately as Marg, she was remembered by Hunt members for her humour, elegance and countless hunting stories, along with her memorable partnership with “Champion Chuck”.

Margaret is survived by her life partner Don, sisters Lynley and Nicoli, and her wider family.

In accordance with her wishes, a private cremation has taken place, with a memorial celebration of her life to be held at a later date. – NZ Racing Desk

Highly regarded Zorero in tip-top order

Stakes contender-in-waiting Zorero (NZ) (Per Incanto) is again expected to be tough to roll on his home track at Hastings this weekend.

Trained by Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos, the son of Per Incanto will step out in the Dan D’Esposito Memorial Handicap (1200m) and hasn’t missed a beat since successfully resuming a month ago.

The four-year-old was a dominant winner in Rating 65 company to take his burgeoning record to a brace of victories and a runner-up finish from four appearances.

“Zorero is a very good horse and has come on in leaps and bounds since the first day of the carnival,” Zydenbos said.

“We like to space his races, he’s a real talent and a Group horse into the future and I think the price he opened at ($8) was pretty generous.”

Zorero is raced by breeder Lib Petagna under his Elsdon Park banner and will again be partnered by Kelly Myers, who will also be aboard Fortunato if he takes his place in the Thomson’s Suits 3YO (1400m).

He was an impressive debut winner at Taupo before finishing eighth and less than four lengths off the winner Old Fashioned (NZ) (Proisir) in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) after being slowly into stride.

“We were really happy with his run in the Guineas, obviously he did a little bit wrong at the start and left himself too big a task,” Zydenbos said.

“He has come through it really well and we’re hoping for a little bit of aqua in the track come Saturday.”

Fortunato holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), but the gelding is unlikely to be heading to Riccarton.

“We’ll see how he comes through Saturday, if he does run, but he’s probably going to head to the paddock,” Zydenbos said.

Stablemate Sethero (NZ) (Super Seth) won’t be seen in action on Saturday with buyers circling the strapping son of Super Seth, who followed up a debut fourth with a clear-cut maiden success at Waverley.

“He will definitely come out, all’s well with him and there are options going forward,” Zydenbos said.

“His racing future is yet to be determined, but if he was to run again in New Zealand it would be in a set weights and penalties over 1400m at Trentham at the end of the month.”

The stable will also have Stylish (NZ) (Sword Of State) in action on Friday at Taupo where she will make her debut in the Generation Homes Maiden (1100m).

“Unfortunately, a minor eye injury meant we had to scratch her out of the Sir Colin Meads (Listed, 1200m), but she’s well now,” Zydenbos said.

“Her work has been strong and it looks a stiff enough maiden field for her first go at the races, but she’s a right talent.”

Bred and raced by Lowry, Stylish is a daughter of Sword Of State and the winning Savabeel mare Chic (NZ).

A decision has yet to be made if multiple placegetter Swiffty (NZ) (Shalaa) will resume in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m).

“The barrier (15) might make it too tough, we could skip that and head to Waverley (October 18) a bit later,” Zydenbos said. - Paul Vettise

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