Rogerson juveniles looking to retain glittering form
THE Two-year-old winners have been coming thick and fast for Hamilton trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, and it looms as another weekend of success for the training duo.
The Rogersons will line up juveniles at Ruakaka and Awapuni and Graeme Rogerson has high hopes for success with both.
At Ruakaka, Contessa Vanessa shoots for three straight wins as the filly tackles the Tavistock Owners Syndicate 1000.
Rogerson said the trip is not the preferred distance for the filly, but he is confident the horse has the best possible chance to win.
“She’s going well,” Rogerson said.
“She’s coming back to 1000m from 1200 and that’s not really ideal for her, but I couldn’t be happier with her condition. She’s going well.”
Barring disaster, Rogerson will target a similar race towards the end of the month.
“She doesn’t go that well left-handed. At Rotorua, Ryan [Elliot, stable apprentice] said she wouldn’t come onto the right leg, but right-handed at her last two, she’s shown what she can do.
“It looks a race between her and Florence Jean on Saturday. If it was 1200m, I think we’d have that other filly’s measure and even over 1000m, she still might beat her.”
Star in the making Nuclear Fusion is the other runner in the Rogerson stable that is looking to continue its stellar form.
The filly ran second at its last two starts at Ellerslie and Otaki, and Rogerson is confident he could hold off the double-handed challenge from Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning, who will produce last-start winner Style By Design and impressive trial performer Off The Grid.
“I think we can beat Ralph,” Rogerson said.
A listed race is on the horizon if Nuclear Fusion can salute on the weekend.
“If she runs well, she could head to the Ryder Stakes with her.”