Stablemates ready to stake their claims

Te Akau will chase feature race victories at three venues in the coming days with Zantabulous (NZ) (Almanzor) to lead off the assault on Friday in her first tilt at a stakes prize.

The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained mare looks well placed in the Listed Jennian Homes Anzac 1600, in which the lightly tried six-year-old will bid to build on a strong run of form in the lower grades.

At Te Rapa on Saturday, Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor) will chase top honours in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) with stablemates Drops Of God (NZ) (Hello Youmzain), King’s English (Snitzel) and Avantaggia (Wootton Bassett), who is on the ballot, in the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).

Southern targets will also be in play with What You Wish (NZ) (Embellish) For leading the charge in the Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m), Aishiteru (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) and Perlino (NZ) (Super Seth) in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) and Trobriand (Kermadec) in the Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m).

Zantabulous has been in fine touch this preparation with a Te Aroha success and five placings from her last seven appearances, including a most recent second to subsequent Gr.3 Easter Handicap winer Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin).

“She’s always been talented but has unfortunately had a few setbacks along the way,” Bergerson said.

“The Lupo Solitario form is very good now and she gets through rain-affected going.

“It would be a great reward for the owners’ patience, she’s certainly tested that at times and it would be a fantastic result if she can get some black type.”

Travis Stakes contender Qali Al Farrasha will bid to turn her form around following an unplaced run in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).

“It’s hard to get a line on her, she went down to Trentham and it was an on-speed day and she got a long way back and didn’t disgrace herself,” Bergerson said.

“The conditions of this race suit her and she’s the benchmark, if she brings her best then she will be incredibly hard to beat. We can’t fault her at home.”

Bergerson confirmed Qali Al Farrasha will remain in training next season.

“We put due consideration into it and she’s still quite weak and not a lot of her, so we think after a good break next season could be her time, all going well,” he said.

Drops Of God won her first two starts before finishing third in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) and is the top seed for the stable in a hot Breeders’ Stakes line-up, although a wide gate will be a hindrance.

“She’s probably the pick of them, she just keeps getting better and better and has been freshened,” Bergerson said.

“She’s had two trips away and galloped at Ellerslie on Saturday with King’s English and it was terrific work.

“King’s English was disappointing in the Almanzor, he just didn’t handle the quick turnaround and looks a completely different horse from his racing prep in January and Avantaggia was good last time.

“She tries very hard and hopefully she gets a run. It would be fantastic to get some black type for her, obviously she’s a pretty valuable filly.”

Bergerson is also confident the Gold Cup at Riccarton sets up ideally for genuine performer What You Wish For.

“He went two good races at Wellington and then went to our Christchurch base where he’s done everything well,” he said.

“It should be a good track on Saturday and that’s certainly what he needs, and it would be a fantastic way to sign off his season.”

Warstep Stakes hopes Aishiteru and Listed NZB Insurance placegetter Perlino are both expected to be strong chances with the former a course and distance winner two runs back.

“Aishiteru raced a bit fresh over the mile last time so up to 2000m we expect her to improve, and Opie (Bosson) got off Perlino last time and said 2000m would be right up her alley,” Bergerson said.

Great Easter hope Trobriand was a resuming second at Ashburton behind Toa Haka (NZ) (Iffraaj), who won the Southern Alps Challenge at his next start.

“He sneaks in with a competitive weight, we don’t normally step him out to 1400m because he can be a bit fierce, but in his last two starts he’s done it well and is in the zone,” Bergerson said.