O’Ceirins Whisper
Race Images Palmerston North
Sandie Cookson is hoping to have two runners in next month's Gr.3 New Zealand Cup.
The Foxton trainer has both O'Ceirins Whisper and Skybird nominated for the Christchurch Casino-sponsored feature and her Riccarton plans will become clearer by the end of this week.
The former will be out to boost his rating when he runs at Woodville on Thursday while Cookson is waiting on veterinary advice before confirming Skybird's programme.
"I'm a bit worried about the track for O'Ceirins Whisper, but he's got to have a run," she said.
The Bachelor Duke gelding will appreciate the step up to 2200 metres in the Pukemanu Farms Stayers Handicap following his last-start third over a mile.
"He's come through the Waverley race well and I'm really happy with him," Cookson said.
O'Ceirins Whisper has only won two races, but he showed his staying ability in the autumn when he beat fellow New Zealand Cup hopeful Balham in the Waipukurau Cup.
"Skybird will still possibly go for the cup, but she's going to be scanned on Friday to see if she's in foal to Per Incanto and after that we can work things out."
Cookson's two other runners at Woodville - O'Ceirins Choice in the Awapai Farms 1400 and Monie O'Ceirin in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race – are doubtful starters due to the expected Heavy 10 surface.
"O'Ceirins Choice really needs a better track, although being in the first race is a help, while Monie O'Ceirin has needed a lot of time," Cookson said. "She's been a weak sort of mare."
She is a half-sister to the Group Three winner Rememba Howe and a half-sister to the Australian stakes winner and Gr.1 The Metropolitan placegetter Reuben Percival. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Foxton trainer has both O'Ceirins Whisper and Skybird nominated for the Christchurch Casino-sponsored feature and her Riccarton plans will become clearer by the end of this week.
The former will be out to boost his rating when he runs at Woodville on Thursday while Cookson is waiting on veterinary advice before confirming Skybird's programme.
"I'm a bit worried about the track for O'Ceirins Whisper, but he's got to have a run," she said.
The Bachelor Duke gelding will appreciate the step up to 2200 metres in the Pukemanu Farms Stayers Handicap following his last-start third over a mile.
"He's come through the Waverley race well and I'm really happy with him," Cookson said.
O'Ceirins Whisper has only won two races, but he showed his staying ability in the autumn when he beat fellow New Zealand Cup hopeful Balham in the Waipukurau Cup.
"Skybird will still possibly go for the cup, but she's going to be scanned on Friday to see if she's in foal to Per Incanto and after that we can work things out."
Cookson's two other runners at Woodville - O'Ceirins Choice in the Awapai Farms 1400 and Monie O'Ceirin in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race – are doubtful starters due to the expected Heavy 10 surface.
"O'Ceirins Choice really needs a better track, although being in the first race is a help, while Monie O'Ceirin has needed a lot of time," Cookson said. "She's been a weak sort of mare."
She is a half-sister to the Group Three winner Rememba Howe and a half-sister to the Australian stakes winner and Gr.1 The Metropolitan placegetter Reuben Percival. – NZ Racing Desk.