Battle Time
Trish Dunell
Farm Boy and Battle Time are almost certain to chase the remaining two legs of the Triple Crown series at Hastings before trainers Tim and Margaret Carter set their sights on another carnival attack with the half-brothers.
Despite starting at better than 50-1, the siblings produced bold showings for third and sixth respectively in the Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes behind the defending champion Kawi.
The stayer Farm Boy came from last in the running while Battle Time was courageous after being caught three wide from an outside gate.
"They have both come up so well this time and we knew we weren't going down there to make up the numbers," Tim Carter said.
"We weren't expecting to win, but we were expecting very good runs from them. They will both be going back for the middle day and most likely the Livamol.
"Battle Time was so brave and he only peaked 100 metres out, and he was entitled to, and Farm Boy will only get better the further he goes."
Both horses are raced by their breeder, Cambridge farmer Allan Hayward.
"Allan is so passionate about it and he's loving having two horses in Group One races," Carter said.
Safely through the Hawke's Bay festival, the stable has plans to head south for the spring meeting at Riccarton.
"It will depend on what happens at Hastings, but we'd like to run Battle Time in the Coupland's Mile and Farm Boy in the New Zealand Cup," Carter said.
"That's the plan, although we haven't locked all that into place just yet."
Battle Time has already been Group One placed at Riccarton, having finished runner-up to Xtravagant in last season's New Zealand 2000 Guineas. – NZ Racing Desk.
Despite starting at better than 50-1, the siblings produced bold showings for third and sixth respectively in the Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes behind the defending champion Kawi.
The stayer Farm Boy came from last in the running while Battle Time was courageous after being caught three wide from an outside gate.
"They have both come up so well this time and we knew we weren't going down there to make up the numbers," Tim Carter said.
"We weren't expecting to win, but we were expecting very good runs from them. They will both be going back for the middle day and most likely the Livamol.
"Battle Time was so brave and he only peaked 100 metres out, and he was entitled to, and Farm Boy will only get better the further he goes."
Both horses are raced by their breeder, Cambridge farmer Allan Hayward.
"Allan is so passionate about it and he's loving having two horses in Group One races," Carter said.
Safely through the Hawke's Bay festival, the stable has plans to head south for the spring meeting at Riccarton.
"It will depend on what happens at Hastings, but we'd like to run Battle Time in the Coupland's Mile and Farm Boy in the New Zealand Cup," Carter said.
"That's the plan, although we haven't locked all that into place just yet."
Battle Time has already been Group One placed at Riccarton, having finished runner-up to Xtravagant in last season's New Zealand 2000 Guineas. – NZ Racing Desk.