Trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards have the Listed Barneswood Farm Stakes on Saturday week in mind to complete the Fastnet Rock colt's preparation for the Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas.
Heroic Valour was beaten for the first time last weekend when he finished third
in the Gr.2 Hawke's Bay Guineas at Hastings where the Group One-winning
juvenile of last season struck a Slow 8 track.Regular rider Matt Cameron was of the opinion that the horse may have been pinching himself, but Autridge felt the rain-affected going may have been the contributing factor to his downfall.
"We weren't keen to run him, but if he missed the race his Two Thousand Guineas preparation would be at risk if anything else went wrong," Autridge said. "He has come through the race well and we are not that worried."
Heroic Valour is currently rated a $6 chance in the Guineas market and the stable holds a strong hand with Hall Of Fame at $8.
The son of Savabeel gave his Guineas Trial rivals a thumping at Riccarton last Saturday to take his record to two wins from five starts.
He is likely to step up to a mile next time out in the Listed Zacinto Stakes on October 22. – NZ Racing Desk.
