Wexford wishing for family result at Ellerslie
Wexford Stables will be hoping family comes first at Ellerslie where they will rely on a pair of half-brothers for success in one of the main events on Saturday’s card.
Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will hold a decent hand in the JRA Trophy (1600m) with Uderzo and Desert Mystic.
By Vadamos and Satono Aladdin respectively, the pair were bred by Rich Hill Stud with Peter Merton and are sons of the Pentire mare Etosha Lass.
Uderzo stepped up to 1600m for the first time this preparation at his latest appearance and hit the line strongly at Te Rapa to finish runner-up.
“He’s taken a bit of racing to get him fit, which he is at the present time and generally holds his form, especially while the ground is in good condition like it is now,” Scott said.
“He gets around Ellerslie well, he’s got good form on the course and we’re expecting him to race well again.
“He gets in well at the weights (54kg), a nice draw (three) and Warren Kennedy will ride him, and he’s won on the horse in the past so we’re pretty hopeful of another strong performance.”
While Uderzo has yet to win on the course, he has raced there with distinction in far stronger company with a third placing in the Gr.3 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) and fourth in the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m).
“He’s run in some very good races with a lot of credit, it’s not been a case that he’s not been good enough to win it’s just he didn’t have the fortune in the run to get the results.
“Hopefully, that can all change on Saturday as we think the horse is going very well.”
Five-time winner Desert Mystic has proved a versatile character with success on both good and rain-affected surfaces.
“He’s been racing without any luck in Rating 75s with bigger weights,” Scott said.
“We thought we would go the other way and pop him up in grade and drop in weight to give him his chance. He’s a fit gelding and has been competitive around Ellerslie before without a winning turn.
“On his day, he’s a capable galloper and there’s no reason why he can’t put in close to a winning performance.”
The stable’s other runner at Ellerslie is the Almanzor juvenile Pounce who returns to action in the MyRacehorse 1100m.
She was unplaced on debut on the track behind impressive stablemate Te Encuentro on Boxing Day before a break and is a recent trial winner.
“As it’s turned out, that was quite a strong two-year-old race and horses that came from the back part of the field were strong at the finish,” Scott said.
“She was keen on speed and lacked a bit of strength, so we popped her away for a break.
“She trialled well at Te Awamutu, and she’s worked the house down, so we’re thinking of a strong return from her.”
