Age Of Fire to take on open class horses in G1 Herbie Dyke Stakes
Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards have nominated Age Of Fire for the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on February 10.
A decision on a crack at the weight-for-age feature will be made after the Fastnet Rock colt runs in Saturday’s Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham.
“Everything is good with him,” Richards said. “The big track and the step up to a mile will suit him.
“After this he could go to the Waikato Guineas, the Avondale Guineas or the Herbie Dyke is another option.”
Runner-up in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in the spring, Age Of Fire resumed at Ellerslie on Boxing Day with a 1400m defeat of Ever Loyal.
Age Of Fire, whose yearling sister (Lot 172) will be offered by Hallmark Stud during the Book 1 Sale at Karaka on January 28, is currently the $7 Group 1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) favourite with Demonetization.
Meanwhile, other Group One contenders in the stable will make an appearance on their home track on Friday.
“Heroic Valour will gallop at Matamata, he’ll have a hit-out between races with Chambord and they will both be spot on for the Telegraph,” Richards said.
Scratched from the Group 1 Railway (1200m) due to the rain-affected ground, Heroic Valour will be ridden in the Group 1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m) by either Opie Bosson or Michael McNab with the other to take the mount on Chambord.