NZ racing wrap: Track in good order for No More Tears

Kiwi jumper Sea King
MULTIPLE-TIME stakes winner No More Tears faces quality opposition at Te Rapa this weekend, but likely underfoot conditions are expected to boost her chances.

The Darci Brahma mare finished second to Saracino in last year’s Group Two Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate and trainer Stephen Marsh can’t fault the horse’s condition as it bids to go one better on Saturday.

“She’s going really well and her trial at Te Teko was very good,” he said.

“It’s a very good field, but with all the rain we’ve had the track will affect others more than us – she’ll cop it okay.”

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Filly’s luck turns around at Ruakaka

Promising filly Sophie’s Choice opened her three-year-old season in perfect style on Wednesday.

The horse sat outside the leader to the turn and then lengthened stride under Danielle Johnson to gain an overdue victory in the Ruakaka’s Celebrating 40 Years – 15/16 September.

“That was nice, she’s had a few unlucky runs so it’s good to get her confidence up,” said Johnson.

Trained by Stephen Marsh for Go Racing, Sophie’s Choice placed four times as a two-year-old and she was also a luckless eighth in the Karaka Million.

“She could have filled a placing and she’s got form behind some pretty smart horses,” syndicate manager Albert Bosma said.

Sea King back to steeplechasing

Versatile Kiwi jumper Sea King will revert to the big fences in his next Australian appearance.

He trialled satisfactorily at Ballarat earlier this week and he will return there on Sunday for the Grand National Steeplechase.

Trainer Patrick Payne said the shift will suit Sea King down to the ground.

“He just jumped a bit big and high, but on race day when they are going quicker he’ll come down a bit I would think,” Payne said.

Sea King’s current Australian campaign includes a victory, his 16th over jumps, in the Brendan Drechsler Hurdles at Bendigo.

Bright future tipped for Rocstock

Tavistock four-year-old Rocstock is expected to make his mark in good company given time.

The horse blitzed the field in its return to racing at Ruakaka on Wednesday, and Rocstock’s regular rider Troy Harris said the galloper is a progressive type.

“He’s a horse that can go through the grades quite easily, he’s one to follow,” Harris said.

The pair are unbeaten in two starts after Rocstock followed up his debut success with a tidy win in the Christmas at the Race Ruakaka 19 December on Wednesday.

“He got a beautiful run from the draw,” Harris said.

“I was a bit worried on the turn, but when I got at him with the stick he was away.”

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Northern stallion parade set for the weekend

The Auckland branch of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association will hold its annual stallion parade on Sunday.

The tour will begin at Haunui Farm (Belardo, Iffraaj, Showcasing) at 10.30am followed by a visit to Westbury Stud (El Roca, Postponed, Redwood, Reliable Man, Swiss Ace, Tarzino, Telperion).

The branch’s awards lunch will follow at 12.30pm at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka complex.

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