Wexford building into big week in Queensland
Andrew Scott is looking forward to escaping the Kiwi weather as he heads across to Queensland on Friday, a day out from Geriatrix’s Australian debut at Eagle Farm.
Scott, who trains in partnership with Lance O’Sullivan, watched their star filly Molly Bloom from afar last weekend in the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben, where she travelled wide throughout to finish a gallant fifth behind fellow Kiwi-bred Scarlet Oak.
“We were pleased with her performance, while she did have much good fortune in the running getting as wide as she did, and they just weren’t winning from out there as it turned out,” he said.
“She’s come through it well, and we’re still in the opinion that she’s in the improving stage and has taken good benefit from the run fitness-wise.
“We think she’ll be cherry-ripe back on the good track around Eagle Farm and put in a good performance in the Oaks.”
The daughter of Ace High shone on home soil this season with victories in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and Group 2 Fillies’ Classic (2000m), which attracted the attention of prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir.
Next Saturday’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) will be her final appearance under the care of O’Sullivan and Scott, as she will remain in Australia to continue her racing career with expat-Kiwi Chris Waller.
“For team Wexford, it’s certainly going to be sad to see her go, there’s no doubt about that,” Scott said.
“But we all understand her future is in Australia and there will be no lack of support from New Zealand, we’ll be right behind her and will be cheering her home every time.”
In the meantime, Scott’s focus will be on Eagle Farm this Saturday, where Geriatrix is double-nominated for a Benchmark 78 over 1400m and the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m).
The Almanzor colt has recorded three victories from nine career starts, with the most recent at Taupo on May 11 booking his place on the plane to Brisbane.
“He’s travelled over well and settled into the new environment, he’s an adaptable colt with a wonderful mind that can handle the trip not a bother,” Scott said.
Scott indicated the stakes race is the preferred option for Geriatrix, however, the three-year-old currently sits a fourth emergency.
“If he was to make the field in the Fred Best, we would like to take our chance there with the good draw (4),” he said.
“If we’re in the benchmark race, obviously we’re drawn a bit wide (14) but it’s a big long straight at Eagle Farm and the track will really suit him.
“He’s going the right way and we’re confident he will run well, it’s just a bit unfortunate he might have to take on the older horses.”
Promising filly Tomodachi also made the trip over after producing a winning hattrick this campaign and is set for a spell after finishing seventh behind Derby contender First Innings at Ipswich last Wednesday.
“It was her first time going right-handed, and she just raced a bit inexperienced in her first attempt over ground as well,” Scott said.
“She may have just been getting to the end of her preparation, so we’ve put her in the spelling paddock there and she’s booked to fly home on the 8th of June without another run.
“The trip will be the making of her going forward, and she’s going to come back a very good New Zealand racehorse next season. We’ve got high hopes for her.”