Ready to Run Purchase on Track for NZ Oaks

Media Release - Wednesday March 15

Sakura Girl will chase the first leg of a major trans-Tasman double for Cambridge trainer Ben Foote at Trentham on Saturday.

The in-form daughter of Iffraaj is the pre-post favourite for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) while stablemate Babylon Berlin is in Melbourne to prepare for Friday week’s Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

Sakura Girl will contest the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell

Sakura Girl will contest the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell

Sakura Girl has enjoyed a trouble-free build-up and jumped to the top of the Oaks market following a decisive front-running victory in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) and Foote has no concerns about the extra distance.

“You never know until they try, but I would very much doubt there will be any trouble at all, she’s such a big, strong horse,” he said.

Advertisement

“I’m really happy and everything has been faultless with her, no hiccups whatsoever.

“The Oaks is one race I’ve always wanted to win, it’s one of a handful right at the top of my list.”

Sakura Girl is raced by Andy Lau and Ross Lao of Upper Bloodstock, who purchased her for $260,000 out of Riverrock Farm’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft.

“We’ve all become very good friends and done a lot of business together and bought a lot of horses again this year,” Foote said.

Should Sakura Girl’s hot run of form continue at Trentham, she will also be in line for a trip further afield.

“More than likely it will be Australia, I haven’t looked into it too much but maybe we’ll look at the Oaks (Gr.1, 2000m) in Adelaide,” Foote said.

Meanwhile, last-start Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m) runaway winner and multiple Group One placegetter Babylon Berlin safely landed in Melbourne in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

“She arrived just after midnight and travelled really well so everything is looking good,” Foote said.

“She will go to Moonee Valley on Monday morning for a gallop, it will be good for her to have a look around there.”

All going well in the William Reid, the speedy daughter of All Too Hard will head to Western Australia for the inaugural running of the A$4 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot on April 15.

“If she runs up to her form, there’s a very good chance she will fly to Perth on April 3,” Foote said. “I think the track will suit her style of racing as well.”

Babylon Berlin travelled to Australia in the care of Foote’s son Ryan, who may join his father in partnership in the future.

“It’s there for him and he’s a very good horseman. I wanted him to get out and about first and not tie him down here unless he really wanted that,” he said.

“He’s very keen and only just got back from Melbourne last week after working at the sales, he’s had a few trips in the last six months.

“He worked for Ohukia Lodge at the Sydney and New Zealand Ready to Run Sales, Bhima Thoroughbreds at the Gold Coast, Carlaw Park at Karaka (yearling sale) and Maluka Thoroughbreds in Melbourne.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
New Stakes-Winner for Iffraaj
Exciting galloper Sakura Girl presented her trainer Ben Foote and rider Kozzi Asano with the second leg of a winning stakes double at Te Rapa on Saturday when she cruised to victory in the Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m).
Juvenile Trial Watch - Three States
Some interesting two-year-old trials around Australia on Monday with a couple of first season sires showing up, a high priced Horses In Training graduate and a pointer to one selling at Magic Millions Perth this week.
Group One Blue Diamond Barrier Draw
The Blue Diamond Stakes barrier draw is done for the first two-year-old Group One of the season and connections of the favourites will be on good terms.
Juvenile Trial Watch - Rosehill
There were six juvenile heats at the Rosehill barrier trials on Tuesday with a first look at two impressive youngsters by I Am Invincible a highlight along with another Farnan youngster confirming his talent.
OTI Racing Acquire Oaks Prospect
Australian syndicator OTI Racing have added a $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) contender to their New Zealand racing arsenal after securing promising filly Twisted Love last week.
Group One Winning Savabeel Mare Retired
It was an emotional day at Te Akau Racing’s Matamata stables on Sunday when co-trainer Sam Bergerson farewelled Skew Wiff for the final time following her retirement from racing.
Another Kiwi Filly Seeking Aussie Oaks Success
Trainer Ben Foote is determined to regroup from two successive Group One disappointments.
Latest Golden Slipper Order Of Entry
The latest Golden Slipper order of entry has been released by Racing NSW with Farnan's Inglis Golden Gift winner North England sitting at the top, while one of the highest earning youngsters in the country has nothing to show for it.
Pivotal Ten Highlights Valachi Downs Legacy
Kevin Hickman has left a lasting mark on New Zealand’s breeding industry, with the recent success of sensational filly Pivotal Ten an embodiment of his vision at Valachi Downs.
Fierce Impact 2YO Aiming For Stakes Racing After Riccarton
Former champion jockey David Walsh scored his first training success in more than two decades when Leah Hemi saluted aboard Zelia at Riccarton last month, and the local horseman is hoping the same combination can put in a repeat performance at the Christchurch track on Wednesday.