Vespa outside of Passing Shot.
Photo - Race Images Palmerston North.
High class galloper Vespa is on target to resume racing in the Gr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on January 16.
Vespa was sidelined by a lung infection last spring, after just one start in a new campaign.
He has been back in work for two months and will have a jump-out next week.
"We are very happy with him and have always planned for him to go into the Telegraph fresh-up," co-trainer Johno Benner said.
"He has a good record at Wellington and is not badly off under the set weights and penalties.
"There don't seem to be any trials for him, but he might have another jump-out or an exhibition gallop somewhere. He's a good doing colt and takes a bit of work."
Vespa has had seven wins and three seconds from 12 starts in New Zealand.
His wins include the Karaka Million, Diamond Stakes and Wellington Guineas and he was beaten a head in the Easter Handicap. Vespa finished fifth when resuming in the Gr.1 Makfi Stakes last spring.
"He had a lung infection of some sort, almost straight after the Makfi," Benner said. "It could have been brewing when he raced, so it was a big run.
"He had to be spelled and treated but everything looks clear now and he's good to go.
"He's worked up well and I don't think we've seen the best of him yet."
Benner and his partner, Hollie Wynyard, have some exciting prospects for summer and autumn racing.
Kingsman, a winner at Ellerslie last Sunday, will be a form runner for the Karaka Million and stablemate The Wolf, a Rip Van Winkle colt, is being aimed at the New Zealand Derby.
"It was a big trip to Ellerslie [for Kingsman] and he won't race again before the big race," Benner said. "He's clean winded and not a hard horse to keep fit.
"He's got good ability and is getting better all the time."
The Wolf had two weeks off after finishing sixth in the Wellington Stakes, from a wide barrier, at his fourth start.
"He's come back in great order. If he had drawn an alley [in the Wellington Stakes] he would have been right in the finish." – NZ Racing Desk
Vespa was sidelined by a lung infection last spring, after just one start in a new campaign.
He has been back in work for two months and will have a jump-out next week.
"We are very happy with him and have always planned for him to go into the Telegraph fresh-up," co-trainer Johno Benner said.
"He has a good record at Wellington and is not badly off under the set weights and penalties.
"There don't seem to be any trials for him, but he might have another jump-out or an exhibition gallop somewhere. He's a good doing colt and takes a bit of work."
Vespa has had seven wins and three seconds from 12 starts in New Zealand.
His wins include the Karaka Million, Diamond Stakes and Wellington Guineas and he was beaten a head in the Easter Handicap. Vespa finished fifth when resuming in the Gr.1 Makfi Stakes last spring.
"He had a lung infection of some sort, almost straight after the Makfi," Benner said. "It could have been brewing when he raced, so it was a big run.
"He had to be spelled and treated but everything looks clear now and he's good to go.
"He's worked up well and I don't think we've seen the best of him yet."
Benner and his partner, Hollie Wynyard, have some exciting prospects for summer and autumn racing.
Kingsman, a winner at Ellerslie last Sunday, will be a form runner for the Karaka Million and stablemate The Wolf, a Rip Van Winkle colt, is being aimed at the New Zealand Derby.
"It was a big trip to Ellerslie [for Kingsman] and he won't race again before the big race," Benner said. "He's clean winded and not a hard horse to keep fit.
"He's got good ability and is getting better all the time."
The Wolf had two weeks off after finishing sixth in the Wellington Stakes, from a wide barrier, at his fourth start.
"He's come back in great order. If he had drawn an alley [in the Wellington Stakes] he would have been right in the finish." – NZ Racing Desk