Xtravagant
Kenton Wright Race Images
Two of the heroes of Te Akau Racing's memorable 2015-16 season are poised to make waves as they return to racing this weekend.
Last season's champion three-year-old Xtravagant and champion two-year-old Heroic Valour will attract attention from opposite sides of the Tasman as they attempt to pick up where they left off last autumn.
Unbeaten Group One-winning Fastnet Rock colt Heroic Valour resumes in Saturday's Listed Tavistock Northland Breeders' Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka after two encouraging trials at Te Teko and Taupo.
"They were two quiet trials and he's just been going through the motions," said Jamie Richards, who trains the star duo in partnership with Stephen Autridge.
"He's ready to go a big race first-up. We want to keep him unbeaten if possible so he's in the right condition to be winning this one.
"It's a good field, but there's nothing in there he hasn't beaten or isn't capable of beating. We go up there confident of a forward showing. He's got to take his two-year-old form on to his three-year-old season but he's indicated he will from his work back home."
Heroic Valour has won all three of his starts, culminating in a Gr.1 Diamond Stakes (1200m) win at Ellerslie last March over Northland Breeders' Stakes rival Wyndspelle.
Safely through Saturday's race, he will contest the Gr.2 Sacred Falls Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings on October 1 before using either the Gr.3 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa on October 24 or the Listed Armadillo Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on October 22 as his lead-up to the Gr.1 Sothys 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 5.
Dual Group One winner Xtravagant goes into Saturday's Gr.2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington without a race since his brilliant Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (1200m) win at Te Rapa in April.
A winner of six of his 10 starts, including runaway Group One wins in the 2000 Guineas and the NRM Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, Xtravagant has pleased connections since a setback ruled him out of a planned first-up run in last month's Listed Chandler McLeod Stakes at Moonee Valley.
"He had an elevated temperature and left a bit of food, but he's bounced back well. Stephen's over there with him and he's really happy," Richards said.
"He galloped this morning. Damien Oliver came in and worked him and was very happy with him. We're not sure how the straight six at Flemington will suit him first-up, but it might suit him better than Moonee Valley in his first run back.
"You always have to respect the Aussie sprinters. Hopefully he can get some cover and then do his thing. We're really looking forward to it."
Xtravagant is likely to progress toward the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 24 before tackling the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at the same venue on October 8.
A start in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley remains a possibility. - NZ Racing Desk
Last season's champion three-year-old Xtravagant and champion two-year-old Heroic Valour will attract attention from opposite sides of the Tasman as they attempt to pick up where they left off last autumn.
Unbeaten Group One-winning Fastnet Rock colt Heroic Valour resumes in Saturday's Listed Tavistock Northland Breeders' Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka after two encouraging trials at Te Teko and Taupo.
"They were two quiet trials and he's just been going through the motions," said Jamie Richards, who trains the star duo in partnership with Stephen Autridge.
"He's ready to go a big race first-up. We want to keep him unbeaten if possible so he's in the right condition to be winning this one.
"It's a good field, but there's nothing in there he hasn't beaten or isn't capable of beating. We go up there confident of a forward showing. He's got to take his two-year-old form on to his three-year-old season but he's indicated he will from his work back home."
Heroic Valour has won all three of his starts, culminating in a Gr.1 Diamond Stakes (1200m) win at Ellerslie last March over Northland Breeders' Stakes rival Wyndspelle.
Safely through Saturday's race, he will contest the Gr.2 Sacred Falls Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings on October 1 before using either the Gr.3 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa on October 24 or the Listed Armadillo Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on October 22 as his lead-up to the Gr.1 Sothys 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 5.
Dual Group One winner Xtravagant goes into Saturday's Gr.2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington without a race since his brilliant Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (1200m) win at Te Rapa in April.
A winner of six of his 10 starts, including runaway Group One wins in the 2000 Guineas and the NRM Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, Xtravagant has pleased connections since a setback ruled him out of a planned first-up run in last month's Listed Chandler McLeod Stakes at Moonee Valley.
"He had an elevated temperature and left a bit of food, but he's bounced back well. Stephen's over there with him and he's really happy," Richards said.
"He galloped this morning. Damien Oliver came in and worked him and was very happy with him. We're not sure how the straight six at Flemington will suit him first-up, but it might suit him better than Moonee Valley in his first run back.
"You always have to respect the Aussie sprinters. Hopefully he can get some cover and then do his thing. We're really looking forward to it."
Xtravagant is likely to progress toward the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 24 before tackling the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at the same venue on October 8.
A start in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley remains a possibility. - NZ Racing Desk
