New Zealand Cup Goal for Sebring Stayer

Media Release - Wednesday June 6

A trip to Riccarton is the long-term plan for the progressive stayer Daytona Red.

Daytona Red - Trish DunnellThe four-year-old son of Sebring won three races during his last campaign and was turned out after an impressive performance to claim top honours at the expense of the highly-regarded Felaar in the Listed New Zealand St Leger (2500m) at Trentham.

"He's been back in work for a week and his main goal will be the New Zealand Cup," trainer Shaune Ritchie said.

"He can handle some wet tracks so that makes it easier to get him ready."

Ritchie has also welcomed another promising stayer back into the fold with Excalibur in light work.

"He doesn't handle wet ground so we'll potter along with him and go along slowly," he said.

"The Counties and Waikato Cups will be races on his radar and maybe the Wellington Cup."

Excalibur made impressive progress through the summer with a hat-trick of distance wins at Ellerslie, Pukekohe Park and at Hastings to earn a Group One start in the Auckland Cup (3200m).

He finished eighth, but only three lengths from the winner Ladies First, and was then given a break.

"He's putting together a very good record over ground," Ritchie said.

Meanwhile, younger stablemate Owen Patrick atoned for a previous failure when successful last time out at Hawke's Bay.

"He was very disappointing at Te Awamutu, but I think I had him under-done and he was right for Hastings," Ritchie said. "He'll get a lot of confidence from that.

"He ran against some nice three-year-olds in the spring and was competitive. He might have another run or two before he goes out and I think he's premier grade quality." – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Melbourne Cup Winning Trainer Secures $625,000 Sebring Colt
Widden Stud’s much missed Sebring achieved his best result of the sale so far at Magic Millions on Friday when a stunning colt from Miss Rose de Lago fetched $625,000 to the bid of Danny O’Brien.
Another G3 for Sebring Mare
Talented Sebring mare Nettoyer again showed her liking for the Randwick mile scoring her second Graded win at the distance when taking out the Group III ATC Angst Quality on Saturday.
Second Stakes in a Week for Sebring's Wu Gok
Wu Gok had two younger siblings beat him to the punch in landing a stakes win but the six-year-old son of Sebring is fast making up for lost time adding Friday’s Listed Wyong Cup to his last start win in the Group III ATC Premier's Cup at Rosehill.
Best On Breeding
It's an embarrassment of three-year-old riches for Godolphin with In Secret and Golden Mile favoured to fight out Saturday's $1,000,000 Group 1 Golden Rose at Rosehill a week after Aft Cabin went to the head of betting for the Caulfield Guineas following a three and a half-length romp in the Guineas Prelude.  
Sun Bloodstock’s Blossom on Snow Goes Two for Two
Talented Sebring filly Blossom on Snow opened her career with a dominant debut victory at Wangaratta last month and proved that win was no fluke when scoring an eye-catching win at Caulfield on Wednesday.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.