As King Mufhasa kicks off the New Zealand raid on Australia’s major autumn races in Saturday’s C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield, some classy compatriots will be at home doing their best to follow him.
Victoria Derby winner Sangster, Queensland Derby winner Shootoff, crack sprinting mare Fleur De Lune, NZ filly of the year Fix and talented mare Xanadu will all be in action at one of NZ’s biggest autumn meetings at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Shootoff - Photo by Steve Hart
While an Australian trip is not yet on the agenda for Sangster, Xanadu is on trial for the rich fillies and mares in Sydney with more plans expected to be firmed up after the Te Rapa meeting.
Matamata trainer Ken Kelso said the mare would be aimed at the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill and possibly the Doncaster Mile and the Queen of the Turf Stakes so long as she runs well on Saturday.
Xanadu runs in Saturday’s Group One Waikato Draught Sprint (1400m) where she is up against the in-form Fleur De Lune, winner of last month’s Railway Stakes at Ellerslie, and Telegraph Handicap winner Final Touch.
“I think she’s a 1400 to 1600 metre horse and I was probably being a bit cheeky putting her in the Telegraph,” Kelso told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing.
Another who could put herself in the frame for an Australian trip is Zurella whose appearance in the Sprint will be her first since a spring campaign in Melbourne during which she won the Group Two Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington.
Sangster runs in the Group One Darci Brahma International (2000m) in which his opposition includes Shootoff.
Kelso also runs Fix in the Group Two Sir Tristram Classic (2000m) for which she is a firm favourite following wins in the NZ Bloodstock Royal Stakes and the Eight Carat Classic.
