Stakes win won’t come Out Of The Blue for talented juvenile
A stakes victory won’t come Out Of The Blue (NZ) (Tivaci) for the horse that bears the same name when he heads to Ellerslie this weekend.
Out Of The Blue has been a solid performer for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson this season, winning his first two starts before placing in the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) and Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), with his only unplaced run coming when seventh in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m).
He was set to contest last month’s Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day but he was late scratched at the barriers following a veterinary examination which revealed he displayed signs of lameness in his right-hind leg.
While disappointed with the outcome, Bergerson said he has progressed well since, finishing runner-up in his 800m trial at Ellerslie earlier this month, giving Bergerson the confidence to press on towards Saturday’s Listed SkyCity Star Way Stakes (1200m).
“It was a shame about the Group One, but he has bounced through it well and he had a quiet trial at Ellerslie last week where he was really good,” Bergerson said.
“It is a bit of a sticky gate (9) but Opie (Bosson) is on and hopefully he can get his way and be positive. He should give a really good account of himself in a pretty even race.”
TAB bookmakers have installed Out Of The Blue a $4.20 favourite ahead of Miss Janet (Home Affairs) at $4.80 and Spellbound (NZ) (Per Incanto) and So Fear (NZ) (Ardrossan) at $5.50.
Later on the card, Te Akau Racing will have dual representation in the Gr.3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m) courtesy of last start winners Fortune Cookie (NZ) (Proisir) and She Suits Herself (NZ) (Savile Row).
“It is a bit of a jump up to stakes level, but they definitely deserve their chance,” Bergerson said.
“Fortune Cookie was really good at Pukekohe and she has got to step up in trip. If she relaxes and does everything nicely she should run really well.
“She Suits Herself has had a really good season and it would be lovely to get a black-type win. She had that good placing down at Taranaki (Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude, 1800m) and it was a really good win last time, and we know she can stay the trip.”
Te Akau’s stakes representation at Ellerslie will be rounded out by Top Shelf (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m).
The Fairdale Stud-bred and raced mare was runner-up in last season’s Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m), and Bergerson is hoping she can go one better on Saturday, but she will have to overcome her outside draw.
“She has a niggly gate (15), she seems to be cursed a little bit with the barriers,” Bergerson said. “Her last start was very good from a very tough gate.
“She drops a lot in weight and has to take that step up now from 75 grade this season to a pretty good Easter Handicap field.
“She runs well at Ellerslie and with the nice, light weight she should be a really cheeky each way chance.”
A day prior at Te Rapa, Bergerson is looking forward to kicking off the careers of two promising juveniles in the Engas Developments 2YO (1100m).
Snitzel colt Zafar (Snitzel) and Wootton Bassett filly Timeless Beauty (NZ) (Wotton Bassett) have both shown plenty of promise at the trials, winning their last outings over 800m and 900m respectively.
While excited about the prospects of both youngsters, Bergerson said track conditions may delay Zafar’s debut, with Te Rapa rated a Heavy 10 on Thursday morning.
“Zafar is a little bit of a query with the track conditions and he has drawn 14 of 14,” Bergerson said. “He has got a couple of things against him so we are just going to wait and see what the morning brings with him.
“Timeless Beauty is a really nice filly going forward. Her trials have been good and her work at home suggests she gets through wet ground, but raceday is a different story. If she does, she will give a good account of herself.”
