NZ mare I Am Poppy sent to Bjorn Baker’s Australian stables
The four-year-old suffered a bleeding attack when she last raced in the spring with Taranaki owner and former trainer Warren Bolton then deciding she was best-placed across the Tasman.
“It was in the Counties Bowl and she got a three-month stand down so I decided to send her over there,” he said.
“I haven’t got the ability to manage her in a professional way so I rang Bjorn Baker and he was happy to take her.
“She’s the best horse I’ve ever had – she’s a very, very good galloper – and she deserves another chance.”
I Am Poppy had two wins and a placing from five appearances prior to her setback in the Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe in the spring.
“Sam (Collett) said turning for home she wondered how far she was going to win by and then she bled, it was a damn shame,” Bolton said.
“So far so good with her now and she’ll have a quiet jump-out at the end of the month and then she’ll trial in front of the stewards. God willing, she won’t be far away from going to the races.”
On the domestic front, Bolton has high hopes for Jazamour at Wanganui on Friday.
“She’ll line up in the maiden 2000m and if she goes well it will be on to the St Leger Trial and then we’ll decide if we push on to the Oaks,” he said.
Jazamour has placed twice from three appearances and was a last-start third at New Plymouth.
“I think she’s improved two or three lengths and she’s loving her work,” Bolton said. “I’m reasonably confident she’ll go a nice race.”