Monday NZ Briefs: Huge overseas interest in Matchbreaker
Overseas buyers are circling around the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) winner Matchbreaker.
“There has been a hell of a lot of interest in the horse,” trainer Fraser Auret said.
“If he hangs around here then we’ll be having a serious look at the Levin Classic and on breeding, by Makfi out of a Carnegie mare, I’ve got no doubt that the Derby trip will be right up his alley.”
Matchbreaker, who has won two of his three starts, is raced by his co-breeder Gavin O’Dea.
“He’s still got the mother so it was a mighty result for him,” Auret said.
Awapuni run for Classic hope
Ocean Emperor is likely to make his next appearance in the central districts.
“I’m giving consideration to going to Awapuni for an open 2000m race on December 16 and then the Zabeel Classic,” part-owner and trainer Gary Hennessy said.
“It’s a nice opportunity to give him a run over a bit of ground.”
Ocean Emperor produced a career-best performance last time out when the good-looking son of Zabeel beat Miss Wilson and Kawi in the Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m).
“He was back at the track this morning for the first time, he’s fresh and very well in himself,” Hennessy said.
Cup hope in top form
Patrick Erin continues to pick up travel expenses for an upcoming northern trip.
The six-year-old won for the ninth time in his 19-start career on Sunday when he triumphed at Cromwell.
“He’s been a slow developer, but he’s doing a good job now,” said Brian Anderton, who trains with his son Shane. “He’s on track at this stage for the Wellington Cup, he’s a very relaxed horse.”
Eulogy start on cards for Divine Power
Having successfully passed a distance test, the well-related Divine Power is now likely to tackle the Group 3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni on December 16.
The two-time winning daughter of Power gave another strong account of herself last time out when third in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki.
“She went a great race, I was very happy with her in her first start over a mile,” trainer Kevin Gray said.
A grand-daughter of the multiple Group One winner Lashed, Divine Power’s half-sister (Lot 333) by Tavistock will be offered by Cambridge Stud during Book 1 at Karaka next year.
Black type dream for filly
In-form filly Caesour’s Dream is out to add to her rich pedigree.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained three-year-old won for the second time in nine starts when successful in a Rating 70 sprint at Rotorua last week to prompt loftier goals.
“We’ll be looking for black type races for her,” said Toby Koenig, who manages breeder-owner Sean Buckley’s Ultra Thoroughbreds operation.
By Nicconi, Caesour’s Dream is a grand-daughter of the former top race mare Perfect Promise.
“She won a Group One in South Africa for the boss and she came home and won the Orr Stakes as well,” Koenig said.