Pedigree update
Regency Legend (NZ) (Pins) has done his half-brother a favour with further success in Hong Kong.
The Danny Shum-trained 3-year-old was successful at Sha Tin on Sunday evening to remain unbeaten in three appearances from his new quarters.
He began his career as Espumoso with Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman and won his first two starts before a runner-up finish in the G2 Wakefield Challenge S. and his subsequent sale to Hong Kong interests.
His half-sibling by Savabeel is Lot 423 and will be offered by Waikato Stud during Tuesday Book 1 session at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.
Cup option for Etymology
Godolphin's Etymology (New Approach {IRE}) has continued his winning form and set up a possible G1 Sydney Cup campaign with victory in the Listed Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm.
Runner-up in the 2015 G1 Victoria Derby and second again in the G1 South Australian Derby, he won a 2500 metre handicap at Flemington last month and followed up with a victory in the Listed Bagot H. on New Year's Day.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy had Etymology coasting along handy to the pace and they were too good in the run home for Naval Warfare (IRE) (Born To Sea {IRE}).
"He is a happy horse and is coping with his training," trainer James Cummings said.
"He is free in his action. He used to be a bit nervous before races but he is not any more. He could be a lightweight Sydney Cup chance."
Rodd on top mare
Michael Rodd has been booked to ride Danzdanzdance (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {IRE}) in the G1 Herbie Dyke S. at Te Rapa on Saturday week.
The Australian is currently enjoying a successful stint in Singapore and has got the call up to partner the Chris Gibbs and Michelle Bradley-trained mare in New Zealand’s richest weight-for-age race with a purse of NZ$400,000.
Rodd will replace Danzdanzdance’s regular rider Opie Bosson, who is serving a suspension.
Sistema colt’s target
Impressive debut winner Equinox (NZ) (Exceed And Excel) will bid to defend Te Akau Racing’s G1 Sistema S. title.
The stable won the 2018 edition with Sword Of Osman (NZ) (Savabeel).
Equinox was a smart winner at the first time of asking at Trentham.
“He is a lovely individual that has already shown us plenty at home,” Te Akau boss David Ellis said.
“He will go to the Group 3 Slipper on his home track next month and then to the Sistema from there.”
Ellis was referring to the Reid & Harrison Limited Slipper at Matamata on February 23.
Equinox was a NZ$750,000 Karaka purchase with the Pencarrow Stud-bred colt a son of the F1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas placegetter Our Ella Belle (NZ) (Encosta de Lago).
Smart filly Sydney bound
Xpression (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) is to join top Sydney trainer Chris Waller.
The winner of the G2 Wakefield Challenge S. as a 2-year-old, Xpression returned at three to finish second to Avantage in the G3 Gold Trail S. before easily claiming the G3 Barneswood Farm S.
She then finished third in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas and closed her career in New Zealand when placed at Awapuni in December.
“The decision was made to increase her value,” co-trainer Guy Lowry said.
“We wanted to get her over there so she could do some racing as a 3-year-old. There are more opportunities over there for her, it was a no-brainer really.”
Xpression
Blinkers do the trick
The addition of head-gear has been instrumental in the debut win of She Shao Fly (Epaulette) at Sandown.
"She has really jumped out of the ground in the past 10 days since we put the blinkers on her," McEvoy's stable representative Michael Shepherdson said.
She Shao Fly finished seventh of eight in a Pakenham barrier trial on January 15 before winning a trial in blinkers at Werribee last week.
"We probably didn't really expect that. You never quite know with 2-year-old first starters and there was some form in that race, but she will find her way into a nice race you'd think to see where we sit,” Shepherdsen said.
She Shao Fly remains among the McEvoy stable's nominations for the G1 Blue Diamond on February 23.
Diamond filly doing well
Stakes-winning filly Bella Rosa (Snitzel) will open her G1 Blue Diamond S. campaign in the G3 Chairman's S. at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly won the G3 Ottawa S. at Flemington in November, beating Lankan Star (Nicconi), who resumed with an impressive win at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Bella Rosa winning the G3 Bumble S.
Eustace indicated that Bella Rosa and debutante Seatonic (Sebring) were the most likely to run.
"It might all change in the morning but at this stage Bella Rosa and Seatonic will go there," Eustace said.
Bella Rosa had a jump-out at Caulfield last Tuesday and Saturday's race is her only planned lead-up to the Blue Diamond.
"She's a smaller, stronger style of Snitzel and they tend to be the ones that go quite well. She's improved since the spring. We wanted to go three weeks into the Diamond with just the one run under her belt."
