China Horse Club Chasing More Group One Glory

Media Release - Tuesday January 8

Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman hold a strong hand heading into the Group I Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday, but are disappointed they haven't been able to give last-start Group One winner Madison County a lead-in run ahead of the three-year-old feature.

Madison County - Trish DunnellThe Pins gelding hasn't raced since winning the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November, but his connections remain upbeat about his chances heading into the race.

"He's had a gallop between races. We've got him as fit as we can, but unfortunately there wasn't a 1400m lead-in race," Baker said.

"We didn't want to trial him at Cambridge on Tuesday because it was too close to the race, but we're happy enough with him though."

Madison County was purchased out of Waikato Stud's 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale draft by the China Horse Club for $36,000 and is being set for a tilt at the rich Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie later this month.

"His main target for the summer is the million dollar race (Karaka Million)," Baker said.

Baker rates his charge and expects a good showing from him on Saturday.

"He shapes up alright, he doesn't do a lot on the track, so he's a hard horse to get a line on," Baker said.

"In the same token, he doesn't need a lot because he's not a big heavy horse, he's lighter framed."

TAB bookmakers have labelled Madison County a $2.20 heavy favourite for the Trentham mile as of Tuesday, while Hypnos has been marked a $4.80 chance, and Lincoln Falls and Surely Scared share equal third favouritism at $6.50.

The Baker-Forsman stable will also line-up stakes-winning filly Espresso Martini in the Levin Classic.

The daughter of High Chaparral finished fifth in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) on a heavy10 track at Ellerslie on Boxing Day and Baker believes she will appreciate firmer track conditions at Trentham on Saturday.

"Espresso Martini couldn't cop that track at Ellerslie, but I'm confident she'll run a mile," he said. "A firm track shouldn't worry either of them."

In-form hoop Matthew Cameron will retain his mount on Madison County, while $26-shot Espresso Martini will be ridden by Michael Coleman. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Halo Racing Reduction features in November (Late) catalogue
Shares in reigning G1 Caulfield Cup champion Duke de Sessa, G1 Toorak Hcp winner Attrition and tomorrow’s G1 Railway Stakes favourite Light Infantry Man headline an exciting Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale.
More Stakes Success for Pins Mare
Matamata visitor Princess Kereru signed off on an A+ report card for her current campaign when she scored a hollow victory in the Listed NZB Finance Sprint (1200m) at Hastings 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.
Pins Colt Purple Sector a Class Above in Rough Habit
After watching on as former pupil Vega One blitzed the field in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes, John Thompson had his own reason to cheer when the three-year-old Pins colt Purple Sector earned his first black-type in Saturday’s Group III Rough Habit Plate at Doomben.
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.
Pins Filly Wins G2 Wellington Guineas
An emotional Kevin Hughes was pleasantly surprised to get the judges call in his favour when his bonny filly Emily Margaret prevailed in a tight finish to the Group II Norwood Family Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Residential Front Running Win in G3 Valachi Downs Breeders Stakes
Consistent mare Residential scored her biggest career victory when she led all the way to take out the Group III Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton 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.