Xtravagant
Photo: Trish Dunell
Unperturbed by a disappointing outcome at Trentham, the connections of Xtravagant remain keen to take on the older horses next month.
The star colt was unable to double his Group One tally when fourth in the Levin Classic with the rain-affected going tripping up the New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner.
"We're pretty happy with the way he pulled up and Dan Miller, who looks after him, can't fault the horse and the vets went over him and found nothing wrong," said Jamie Richards, who prepares Xtravagant with Stephen Autridge.
"He was going well at the top of the straight, but the ground held him up after that and he couldn't sprint away. We've put it down to the track and he did get softened up two or three times."
Richards said plans to tackle the Gr.1 NRM Sprint at Te Rapa on February 13 were unchanged.
"We're still looking at the weight-for-age race at Te Rapa, the timing is just right with three weeks then to the Australian Guineas."
Meanwhile, the stable is expecting a form turnaround from Scrutinize in Sunday's Listed NZB Insurance Karaka 3YO Mile after his last-start defeat in the Gr.2 Great Northern Guineas.
"You can put a line through that – he got flattened at the start and the off track didn't suit him," Richards said.
"He'll like the mile on top of the ground with the long-range weather forecast looking good for Ellerslie."
Scrutinize had won three of his previous five starts and finished runner-up in the Gr.2 Hawke's Bay Guineas. – NZ Racing Desk.
The star colt was unable to double his Group One tally when fourth in the Levin Classic with the rain-affected going tripping up the New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner.
"We're pretty happy with the way he pulled up and Dan Miller, who looks after him, can't fault the horse and the vets went over him and found nothing wrong," said Jamie Richards, who prepares Xtravagant with Stephen Autridge.
"He was going well at the top of the straight, but the ground held him up after that and he couldn't sprint away. We've put it down to the track and he did get softened up two or three times."
Richards said plans to tackle the Gr.1 NRM Sprint at Te Rapa on February 13 were unchanged.
"We're still looking at the weight-for-age race at Te Rapa, the timing is just right with three weeks then to the Australian Guineas."
Meanwhile, the stable is expecting a form turnaround from Scrutinize in Sunday's Listed NZB Insurance Karaka 3YO Mile after his last-start defeat in the Gr.2 Great Northern Guineas.
"You can put a line through that – he got flattened at the start and the off track didn't suit him," Richards said.
"He'll like the mile on top of the ground with the long-range weather forecast looking good for Ellerslie."
Scrutinize had won three of his previous five starts and finished runner-up in the Gr.2 Hawke's Bay Guineas. – NZ Racing Desk.