Southern Icon
Trish Dunell
An impressive trial win at Te Teko on Tuesday showed Southern Icon to be ready for the biggest challenge of his career.
Trainer Alan Tait believes the five-year-old can measure up in Group One company, but he will have to produce a bold performance at Te Rapa on Saturday week for the chance to prove his quality.
"His next race will be the Foxbridge Plate and he has to win or run in the first three to guarantee a start in the Makfi," the Matamata horseman said.
Southern Icon's free-wheeling style has seen him unbeaten in his last four starts and his trial win was achieved in similar fashion.
"He just jumped and led like he does – he's used to doing it that way," Tait said. "Mentally, he's more mature now and we've always thought he was pretty smart.
"He doesn't have to be in front, but he's just got that much speed and he can run time – we think he can make the next step up."
Runner-up to Southern Icon was the dual Group One placegetter Battle Time, who is also on a path to the Makfi Challenge Stakes at Hastings on August 27.
"He needed the gallop and it will bring him on," said Margaret Carter, who prepares the four-year-old with her husband Tim.
"It's been difficult with the weather to get the work into them at home. He's nominated for the Makfi and whether he has a race before that we're unsure."
Stablemate and Group Two winner Farm Boy also pleased with his effort behind Saracino in an open 1000 metre heat.
"I was stoked with his run – I didn't expect him to go that well," Carter said. "It was a tidy effort, he ran home beautifully."
Farm Boy also has entries for all three legs of the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown series. – NZ Racing Desk.
Trainer Alan Tait believes the five-year-old can measure up in Group One company, but he will have to produce a bold performance at Te Rapa on Saturday week for the chance to prove his quality.
"His next race will be the Foxbridge Plate and he has to win or run in the first three to guarantee a start in the Makfi," the Matamata horseman said.
Southern Icon's free-wheeling style has seen him unbeaten in his last four starts and his trial win was achieved in similar fashion.
"He just jumped and led like he does – he's used to doing it that way," Tait said. "Mentally, he's more mature now and we've always thought he was pretty smart.
"He doesn't have to be in front, but he's just got that much speed and he can run time – we think he can make the next step up."
Runner-up to Southern Icon was the dual Group One placegetter Battle Time, who is also on a path to the Makfi Challenge Stakes at Hastings on August 27.
"He needed the gallop and it will bring him on," said Margaret Carter, who prepares the four-year-old with her husband Tim.
"It's been difficult with the weather to get the work into them at home. He's nominated for the Makfi and whether he has a race before that we're unsure."
Stablemate and Group Two winner Farm Boy also pleased with his effort behind Saracino in an open 1000 metre heat.
"I was stoked with his run – I didn't expect him to go that well," Carter said. "It was a tidy effort, he ran home beautifully."
Farm Boy also has entries for all three legs of the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown series. – NZ Racing Desk.