Guineas Goal for Aquilifer

Media Release - Monday February 19

Trainer Sam Mynott and owner Ben Kwok are forming quite the formidable partnership.

Singapore-based Kwok has enjoyed success with the Mynott-trained Imwonderfultonight, who has placed in the Listed Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) and Gr.3 Concrode Handicap (1200m), and the pair could have another handy galloper on their hands.

Aquilifer gets the measure of Gohugo in the final bounds at Hastings on Sunday.   Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Three-year-old filly Aquilifer carried Kwok’s silks to her second win from four starts when victorious in the Bay Ford Handicap (1400m) at Hasting on Sunday.

The daughter of Charm Spirit was caught in a three-way speed duel early on, however, when the lead wasn’t there, jockey Jasmine Fawcett eased her charge back to settle in the one-one.

Aquilifer entered the straight four-wide on even terms with local hope Gohugo, who quickly hit the front and looked to have Aquilifer’s measure until the final 50m when she lifted and was able to grab her rival on the line to win by a nose.

Advertisement

Mynott was pleased with her fresh-up effort and is now eyeing a potential trip to Trentham next month for the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m).

“It has been a good track to me, so it was nice to get another win there,” Mynott said.

“She was fresh-up and we didn’t trial her, so I always knew she was going to come on from this run. I had been really happy with her work leading into it and if all went well, I knew she should be there in the money.

“We are going to see how she comes through the run and look at a few options. One option is the Wellington Guineas, otherwise we will find a three-year-old set weights and penalties race.”

Mynott was particularly pleased to get the winning result for Kwok, who also bred the filly.

“Ben has been such a big supporter of mine and it was great to get that win for him. I think she is a smart little filly,” she said.

Kwok will also have plenty to look forward to in the coming month with Imwonderfultonight, who is set to return to the stable at the end of the week following a short freshen-up following her last placing in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa earlier this month.

“She came through her race well,” Mynott said. “She is in the paddock now just having a freshen-up. She will be back in the stable at the end of this week and she will be heading toward the Lightning Handicap (Listed, 1200m) at Trentham next month.”

Meanwhile, Mynott enjoyed watching stable representative Verismo put in another pleasing southern performance at Ascot Park on Saturday when placing in the Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m).

“She has done well down there,” Mynott said. “She has made it worth the trip down to the south. She ran fourth in the Listed race a couple of weeks ago and third again in the Invercargill Cup, I am pleased with her.

“She has come through it really well. There is another race at Wingatui in a fortnight for her, a rating 75 2200m, that we may head for if all goes well.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.