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Chatelle Rose earns black-type shot in Cambridge Breeders’
Consistent filly Chatelle Rose (U S Navy Flag) will take her first step into stakes company when she lines up in the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Prepared by Fred Cornege and Lindsay Cornege, the three-year-old has built a tidy record, winning twice and placing three times from eight starts, including a determined victory over 1200 metres at the same track last week. That success came under testing circumstances, with the meeting rescheduled due to Cyclone Vaianu, leaving the filly to back up within eight days. “It’s not ideal, I would have preferred a fortnight between runs, but she’s come through it well,” Cornege said. “She had to do work from a wide draw last time and was entitled to be beaten, so it was a good effort.” Chatelle Rose will jump from barrier four with apprentice Tayla Mitchell aboard, and is expected to press forward again. “She’s a go-forward horse and the draw suits,” Cornege said. Connections will assess her post-race before locking in future targets, although a potential outing at Ellerslie is under consideration prior to a spell.
Latta eyes multi-track stakes success with busy weekend team
Trainer Lisa Latta will juggle a busy stakes schedule across three venues this weekend, led by veteran He’s A Doozy (Zacinto) in Friday’s ANZAC Mile (Listed, 1600m) at Otaki. The eight-year-old comes off a deserved win in the Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr 2, 2100m) and will head to the paddock after Friday’s run, although heavy track conditions remain a concern. “There’s a bit of concern about the track, but he has trained on well,” Latta said. Attention then turns to Te Rapa on Saturday, where in-form gelding Platinum Pantheon (Hanseatic) will chase black type in the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes. The son of Hanseatic (Street Boss) has won three of his past five starts but faces a challenge from a wide barrier. “He’s in great order, but we’ll need luck from that draw,” Latta said. Further south, Latta will be represented at Riccarton by The Explosive (King Of Comedy) in the Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m), with improved track conditions expected to suit the filly, while Platinum Goddess (Alpine Eagle) is set to cross the Cook Strait for a tilt at the ANZAC Day Lest We Forget (2600m).
Iron Hawk targets stakes breakthrough in Great Easter
In-form gelding Iron Hawk (Written Tycoon) will chase a third consecutive win when he steps up to stakes level in the Great Easter Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Riccarton on Saturday. Prepared by Lance Robinson, the four-year-old has thrived since crossing from Australia, where he showed ability in 11 starts, including a Group 3 placing. Purchased for A$70,000 via Inglis Digital, he has hit form in New Zealand with a runner-up effort on debut before posting back-to-back wins at Riccarton. Robinson said the ANZAC Day feature had long been the target, although a wide draw presents a challenge. “We are really happy with him, his work has been great,” he said. “Everything is spot on apart from the draw, but he’s improving with each run and we’re confident he can measure up.” Saturday’s assignment will be Iron Hawk’s final run of the campaign before a spell, with connections using the performance as a guide towards spring targets during New Zealand Cup Week. In a nod to the occasion, Iron Hawk will race in ANZAC Day colours, with a donation pledged to the RSA should he be successful. Robinson is also hopeful stablemate Bella Luce (Belardo) can gain a start ahead of a tilt at the Easter Cup (Listed, 1600m) next week, while Avoriaz (Almanzor) will contest the staying feature earlier on the card.