Ben Gleeson’s raceday commitments in Australia over the New Year period are not strenuous, but there is still enough happening to keep him alert.
The Australian foreman for Te Akau Racing head trainer Mark Walker will be keeping a close eye on a colt he hopes to welcome into Te Akau’s Cranbourne base in coming weeks.
Move To Strike will be auditioning for a start in the $2 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes when he contests Monday’s NZ$225,000 Eclipse Stakes at Pukekohe in New Zealand.
The son of I Am Invincible is a raging favourite for the 1200-metre Group 2 after demolishing his rivals at Te Rapa on debut, settling midfield before streaking away late to score by 4-3/4 lengths.
“If he was to win that, he might come for the Blue Diamond,” Gleeson said of Monday’s race.
“He’s a very promising two-year-old by I Am Invincible as well, so it’d be good if he came over.”
The Eclipse Stakes is Race 3 on the Pukekohe program and will be run at 11.20am ADST.
Move To Strike, a $525,000 Magic Millions purchase, is out of the Shamardal mare No Evidence Needed, which gives him the same cross as Te Akau’s superstar sprinter Imperatriz, who will be at the Cranbourne stable waiting for Move To Strike if he does come.
The eight-time Group 1 winner is back in work, preparing for a first-up tilt at the $1 million Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington on February 17.
“She actually looks better now than what she did all prep,” Gleeson said of the five-year-old.
“She’s dappled up, she looks amazing, so she spelled really well.
“She’s probably got two or three weeks of ticking over quietly and then we’ll build up the pace work.”
