Written by Paul Vettise
Potential suitors are circling around Yourdeel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) following his dashing debut victory, but his connections have so far resisted any temptation to part with the 2-year-old.
Trained by Jamie Richards, the youngster caught widespread attention at the first time of asking with a runaway success at Te Rapa in the hands of champion jockey Opie Bosson.
“He’s quite exciting and we’ve had a few big offers for him, but we’re looking at the Karaka Million,” part-owner Chris Rutten said.
The country’s richest juvenile event is close to his heart having won the race in 2014 with Vespa (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}), who went on to claim the G1 Diamond S. at his next appearance, and was also involved in Touche (NZ) (Thorn Park), who had finished third in the Millions the previous year.
Little Avondale graduate
Yourdeel was purchased out of Little Avondale Stud’s draft during New Zealand Bloodstock’s Book 1 Sale earlier this year and is a son of the Red Ransom (USA) mare Miss Zapper, who won on three occasions.
She is from the family of the Group 1 winners Grand Armee (Hennessy {USA}), Anamato (Redoute’s Choice) and Dealer Principal (Flying Spur).
Yourdeel was a $100,000 Karaka purchase
Rutten is also involved in the ownership of last season’s Karaka Million 3YO Classic winner Scott Base (NZ) (Dalghar {FR}), who hasn’t been seen out since he finished fourth in the G1 Livamol Classic in the early spring.
“He’s had bone chips removed, but I don’t know if it was that successful so he might be having another operation.” – Chris Rutten.
“He’s had bone chips removed, but I don’t know if it was that successful so he might be having another operation,” he said.
“He’s bright enough in himself, but he’s not quite right.”
Scott Base has won four times, including the G2 Wellington Guineas, from the stable of Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard and they are eyeing off further Group 2 success at Awapuni on Saturday with Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).
Scott Base pictured as a yearling
He runs in the Kamada Park Challenge S. off the back of a last-start open handicap success on the course and was then to have taken aim at the G1 Captain Cook S. only for the rain to have called off that mission.
“He’s under-rated no doubt, but he’s a duffer in the wet and there was no point going around to finish midfield.” - Johno Benner.
“He’s under-rated no doubt, but he’s a duffer in the wet and there was no point going around to finish midfield,” Benner said.
“He’s ready to go again and I’ve got a lot of faith in him. Weight-for-age really suits him and 59kg won’t stop him.”
Wyndspelle began his career with Donna Logan and was placed in the G1 Diamond S. as a 2-year-old before winning the G2 Waikato Guineas in his Classic year.
Wyndspelle
Group 1 placing
He subsequently transferred to the Cranbourne operation of Mick Kent and while he failed to win in Australia he did finish third in the G1 Kennedy Mile behind Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel) and twice placed at Listed level.
On his return to New Zealand, he was placed with Benner and Wynyard by managing owner Jen Campin.
“We’ve got a few horses for her and we can use the beach here which suits him,” Benner said.
Wyndspelle collected another Group 1 credit when third in the Windsor Park Plate during the Hawke’s Bay carnival and safely through Saturday he will step back up to the top level.
“The Thorndon Mile at Trentham is his aim and gets in well there with the set weights and penalties conditions, he’ll be competitive,” Benner said.
