Stakes Goals in Australia for Mum to Be

Media Release - Saturday September 14

Mum-to-be Consensus will take the next step towards a Victorian campaign when she tackles the Patron's Trophy (1200m) at Ruakaka on Saturday.

ConsensusServed by Haunui Farm stallion Iffraaj in the leadup to Saturday's open sprint, Consensus is likely to find her second 1200m race this preparation too short, according to trainer Stephen McKee, but it is the next stepping stone to a campaign in Australia, where she holds an entry for the $A5 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26.

"It's going to be four weeks since her first-up run but she's really well," McKee said.

"This is another fitness-building race for her and then she'll go to Melbourne for her next one, probably in the Stocks Stakes (Gr.2, 1600m) at Moonee Valley on the 27th. We'll start off there and see how her form goes. She'll stay on right through if her form is good enough."

A winner of the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie in 2016, Consensus has been Group One-placed every year since and won the Gr.2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley in March.

"She's nominated for the Cox Plate but there's plenty of good races over there for her. But again that's all dependent on her first run or two and how's she's holding her form," McKee said.

TAB bookmakers opened Consensus at $11 for the Patron's Trophy though McKee said he would be surprised if she was able to win, even back in grade from a 10th-place finish in last month's Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa.

"She's really bright and she hasn't missed a beat even with visiting the stallion. She was one day at Haunui Farm and straight back," McKee said.

"But she's got 61 kilos on Saturday and I don't think she's a winning prospect over 1200. She wasn't too bad in the Foxbridge. She battled to the line quite nicely and I'd expect much the same sort of run this weekend."

McKee will saddle just one other runner at Ruakaka with Magic Of The Sun returning to the venue of his win two starts back in the Whangarei Love It Here 1400, the Auckland trainer suggesting Tappy's One was an unlikely starter in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders' Stakes (1200m). - NZ Racing Desk


Advertisment
More Reading...
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
$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.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
$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.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
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.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.