Creative Genius
Race Images Palmerston North
Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole has designs on doubling his Group One tally.
He opened his account at the highest level last season when he produced Dukedom to claim top honours in the Levin Classic and he's gunning for repeat success in the January feature at Trentham.
Cole's hopes rest with the Master Of Design three-year-old Creative Genius, who recently broke his maiden in fine style at Dargaville.
"He was very impressive, he's a pretty smart animal," he said. "He's going the right way and the blinkers have really switched him on so it's onwards and upwards.
"He'll head to the Trevor Eagle Memorial next and go down the same path as Dukedom."
Runner-up in last year's Trevor Eagle, Dukedom subsequently placed in the Gr.2 Great Northern Guineas before he won the Levin Classic.
He then finished eighth in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas, after which he was sold to Hong Kong interests and he has placed in one of his two appearances from Dennis Yip's stable.
In the meantime, Cole's focus is on Tuesday's Avondale meeting where he has two winning prospects in Belial (Magness the Mighty Steam Train 1200) and Chateau Fionn (Next Meeting at Avondale 25 January 2100).
"Belial has come on a lot since his last run," Cole said. "He was caught three wide first-up, which wasn't ideal, and he battled on well enough.
"He's bounced through it well and he loves Avondale. We might look at the Concorde later on for him if he can get his rating points up."
Chateau Fionn was a last-start winner on the course and he has thrilled Cole with his progress.
"He's really well and he's thrived since then," he said. "I expect another bold showing from him." – NZ Racing Desk.
He opened his account at the highest level last season when he produced Dukedom to claim top honours in the Levin Classic and he's gunning for repeat success in the January feature at Trentham.
Cole's hopes rest with the Master Of Design three-year-old Creative Genius, who recently broke his maiden in fine style at Dargaville.
"He was very impressive, he's a pretty smart animal," he said. "He's going the right way and the blinkers have really switched him on so it's onwards and upwards.
"He'll head to the Trevor Eagle Memorial next and go down the same path as Dukedom."
Runner-up in last year's Trevor Eagle, Dukedom subsequently placed in the Gr.2 Great Northern Guineas before he won the Levin Classic.
He then finished eighth in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas, after which he was sold to Hong Kong interests and he has placed in one of his two appearances from Dennis Yip's stable.
In the meantime, Cole's focus is on Tuesday's Avondale meeting where he has two winning prospects in Belial (Magness the Mighty Steam Train 1200) and Chateau Fionn (Next Meeting at Avondale 25 January 2100).
"Belial has come on a lot since his last run," Cole said. "He was caught three wide first-up, which wasn't ideal, and he battled on well enough.
"He's bounced through it well and he loves Avondale. We might look at the Concorde later on for him if he can get his rating points up."
Chateau Fionn was a last-start winner on the course and he has thrilled Cole with his progress.
"He's really well and he's thrived since then," he said. "I expect another bold showing from him." – NZ Racing Desk.