Group One Goal for Gift

Media Release - Monday December 17

Team Rogerson is poised to make a three-pronged attack on the Group I Sistema Railway (1200m) on New Year's Day after Gift Of Power started off a big day on Saturday for her breeders and part-owners, Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan.

Gift of Power cruises home alone - Race Images

Gift of Power cruises home alone - Race Images

The speedy Gift Of Power confirmed her place in the Railway squad with her runaway win at Awapuni on Saturday, joining stablemates Ferrando and Volks Lightning for a tilt at Ellerslie's major sprint.

Gift Of Power trounced her four rivals in the Plumbing World Handicap (1200m) to win by 10 and a half lengths in the hands of Lisa Allpress, easily smashing the 1200m track record in a remarkable 1:07.46, the final 600m in 33.39.

"She's a very quick filly. She's got so much speed and she showed that," Graeme Rogerson said.

"Her work had been sensational and I wasn't surprised to see her do that.

"Lisa lets her run along and that's what she likes."

Gift of Power, who has won 10 of her 19 starts, is being set for her main target of the summer, the Gr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham next month.

"Her main aim all the way has been the Telegraph at Trentham," Rogerson said.

"She's only been beaten once at Wellington and really she should be unbeaten there. But now we've got to look at the Railway."

All of Gift Of Power's 10 wins have been left-handed and she has been kept to left-handed racing in each of her last seven starts since she finished third to Melody Belle in the Gr.3 Mongolian Khan Trophy (1200m) on the right-handed Ellerslie course 11 months ago.

"She's better left-handed, but she has been working right-handed at home," Rogerson said. "She would only run in the Railway if she draws an alley so she can be on the rail."

Gift Of Power gets into the Railway on 53.5kg, 0.5kg less than Volks Lightning while Ferrando is weighted at 55.5kg.

Ferrando has been freshened since finishing sixth in the Gr.3 Stewards Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton and shaped nicely when winning over 1000m at last week's Te Aroha trials.

"His time for the 1000m was faster than Melody Belle ran and he did it easily," Rogerson said.

"He's very well and will be a good chance because he can take a sit. But he needs a good track. He doesn't like it if the track has been watered."

Ferrando was scratched from last season's Sistema Railway when heavy rain caused a downgrading which led to the abandonment of the final race.

Volks Lightning finished third behind Volpe Veloce in last season's Railway and she won the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua before finishing fifth to Princess Kereru at Ellerslie earlier this month.

"She had 60 kilos last time and couldn't win with that weight," Rogerson said. "She's well and is better weighted in the Railway."

A half-brother by Tavistock to Gift Of Power will be offered in Brendan and Jo Lindsay's Cambridge Stud draft in Book 1 at the upcoming National Yearling Sales at Karaka. - NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Unraced Trial Report – Smoke Alert!
Breednet report for unraced progeny of first season sires at the trials is often a good guide for stallions that are about to make a splash and regular trial watchers will notice one of our first season sires has thrown up a rocket.
Private Harry Half-Sister a Classic Star for Rheinwood Pastoral
Unbeaten three year-old Private Harry shot to fame when downing Golden Slipper winner Lady of Camelot to win the $3million Magic Millions Sunlight Plate last month and if you believe he has the potential to be a serious sprint star of the future, you’re going to be more than interested in his half-sister that will be offered at Inglis Classic next Monday morning.
Vinery Sire Power a Classic Drawcard
Vinery Stud have a super draft of 33 to present at Inglis Classic and 20 of those horses are by the farm's proven stallions All Too Hard, Exceedance, Star Turn and Ole Kirk, who have all sired stakes-winners this season and the latter is currently the leading first season sire and leading 2YO sire in the country.
Pierro 3YO Overdue for Breakthrough
Tony Pike has used the Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m) as a launchpad to Derby success on several occasions and he hopes to continue that trend with a pair of contenders on Saturday at Te Rapa.
Inglis Millennium Barrier Draw
There is $2million up for grabs in the ATC Inglis Millennium (1100m) on Saturday with a full field, plus emergencies declared for the race which has a new favourite after Zoustar filly Price Tag drew gate 11, while the unbeaten stakes-winner With the Law will have to jump from gate 18.
Blue Diamond Tilt For The Playwright
Tricolours’ Racing boss James Moss has revealed tough Written By filly The Playwright is likely to make it three starts in three states with a Blue Diamond tilt in a wide ranging chat on the Tara Talks Racing podcast, including some of the theories behind a track record of finding cheap yearlings that become stakes winners.
More Stakes Success for Karaka Graduate Gift of Power
Talented sprinter Gift of Power took her stakes-winning tally to three at Otaki on Friday when she won the Listed Fasttrack Insurance Levin Stakes (1200m) in dominant fashion.
Fast Track Applications Now Open
Applications for Thoroughbred Breeders Australia's (TBA) latest Fast Track program are now open. 
Sires With Winners - Tuesday February 4
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Mullaglass Stud – Classic Six to Shine
Dr Richard McClenahan, his wife Kim and their team can expect to be busy at Inglis Classic this week with a cracking draft of 16 yearlings by 14 different sires offering a mix of the promising and proven.