Passing Shot
Race Images Palmerston North
Talented short course performer Passing Shot heads to Melbourne next week.
The five-year-old hasn't raced since the autumn, but pleased his co-trainer Stephen McKee in an exhibition work out at Ruakaka on Saturday.
"He galloped over 1000 metres with Amarula and went well," McKee said. "He will have his first run at Moonee Valley and there are plenty of sprints over there for him and we'll be guided by how he performs as to what we aim at."
Ideally, the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield on September 24 would become a realistic target.
Passing Shot has won nine of his 24 starts and hasn't raced since he was successful in the Listed NZB Finance Sprint at Hastings, a month after he claimed the Listed Lightning Handicap at Trentham.
Stablemate and Group One performer Consensus is also closing in on a return to racing.
Placed in the New Zealand Stakes during her last preparation, she will trial at Avondale at the end of the month before McKee and training partner Eddie Chippendale confirm her programme.
Meanwhile, a quartet of their youngsters are preparing to make their three-year-old debuts at Ruakaka on August 27.
"Xiong Feng, Tennessee, Showpin and O'Rachael will be going there," McKee said.
Karaka Million winner Xiong Feng is then likely to head toward the Gr.2 Sacred Falls Hawke's Bay Guineas ahead of the Gr.1 Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas. – NZ Racing Desk.
The five-year-old hasn't raced since the autumn, but pleased his co-trainer Stephen McKee in an exhibition work out at Ruakaka on Saturday.
"He galloped over 1000 metres with Amarula and went well," McKee said. "He will have his first run at Moonee Valley and there are plenty of sprints over there for him and we'll be guided by how he performs as to what we aim at."
Ideally, the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield on September 24 would become a realistic target.
Passing Shot has won nine of his 24 starts and hasn't raced since he was successful in the Listed NZB Finance Sprint at Hastings, a month after he claimed the Listed Lightning Handicap at Trentham.
Stablemate and Group One performer Consensus is also closing in on a return to racing.
Placed in the New Zealand Stakes during her last preparation, she will trial at Avondale at the end of the month before McKee and training partner Eddie Chippendale confirm her programme.
Meanwhile, a quartet of their youngsters are preparing to make their three-year-old debuts at Ruakaka on August 27.
"Xiong Feng, Tennessee, Showpin and O'Rachael will be going there," McKee said.
Karaka Million winner Xiong Feng is then likely to head toward the Gr.2 Sacred Falls Hawke's Bay Guineas ahead of the Gr.1 Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas. – NZ Racing Desk.