NZ racing wrap: Ugo Foscolo impresses at trials

Bott Waterhouse horse trainers
NEW Zealand group one winner Ugo Foscolo is making sharp progress toward a return to racing.

The son of Zacinto was an easy trial winner at Rosehill earlier this month and the horse produced a repeat performance over 950m at Warwick Farm on Monday.

“We will just weigh up his options over the next couple of weeks,” said Adrian Bott, who now trains the New Zealand 2000 Guineas with Gai Waterhouse.

“His immediate plan would be a lead-up race to the Epsom Handicap before heading down to Melbourne where we could stretch him over a bit further.”

Bott believes Ugo Foscolo could be the stable’s leading contender for the Group One Caulfield Cup, which is to be run
three weeks after the Epsom. The Cox Plate also remains in the mix.

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Lowry to enjoy stint with Weir

Leading South Island apprentice jockey Jacob Lowry is furthering his experience across the Tasman.

The 19-year-old is in Victoria where he will spend the next fortnight attached to Darren Weir’s Ballarat operation.

Apprenticed to his grandfather Brian Anderton, Lowry rode 48 winners last season, including four at stakes level to achieve his goal of finishing as the top South Island apprentice.

His consistent form was emphasised by his outstanding strike rate of 4.96, second only to Grand National carnival.

The horse went south in good form with a win and two placings from four lead-up outings but it was out of the money in both appearances at Riccarton.

“He needed some rain to make the ground looser,” Ruakaka co-trainer Kenny Rae said.

“I had him vetted, but they couldn’t find anything wrong with him.

“I might give him a run up here just to make sure though and then he might go back down later on for the New Zealand Cup.”

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