Xiong Feng
Trish Dunell
Stephen McKee and Eddie Chippendale are following a proven formula to protect Xiong Feng's unbeaten record.
The Ardmore trainers have successfully spaced his races and it will be more of the same as they prepare the country's richest youngster for a tilt at the Gr.1 Sistema Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie on March 12.
Victory there would almost certainly clinch champion two-year-old honours for Xiong Feng following his last-start victory in the Listed Karaka Million.
"He's ticking over very nicely at the moment and he won't run again until the Diamond Stakes," McKee said.
"That would be seven weeks between runs and that's what we've done so far with him."
Xiong Feng beat The Soultaker on debut at Ellerslie in the spring and then came out in December to account for the highly-regarded Gasoline at Te Rapa.
Both wins came on rain-affected going and the Iffraaj juvenile then showed he was no one trick pony with his front-running victory on top of the ground in the Karaka Million.
"He's well and showed he can run on a fast track, but if there's any moisture around that obviously doesn't bother him either," McKee said.
The stable isn't short on two-year-old talent with Tennessee also set for an upcoming central districts feature.
The Per Incanto filly has won two of her four starts and was equal eighth in the Listed Karaka Million after racing three wide.
Tennessee will make her next appearance in this Saturday's Gr.3 Phoenix Park Classic at New Plymouth. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Ardmore trainers have successfully spaced his races and it will be more of the same as they prepare the country's richest youngster for a tilt at the Gr.1 Sistema Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie on March 12.
Victory there would almost certainly clinch champion two-year-old honours for Xiong Feng following his last-start victory in the Listed Karaka Million.
"He's ticking over very nicely at the moment and he won't run again until the Diamond Stakes," McKee said.
"That would be seven weeks between runs and that's what we've done so far with him."
Xiong Feng beat The Soultaker on debut at Ellerslie in the spring and then came out in December to account for the highly-regarded Gasoline at Te Rapa.
Both wins came on rain-affected going and the Iffraaj juvenile then showed he was no one trick pony with his front-running victory on top of the ground in the Karaka Million.
"He's well and showed he can run on a fast track, but if there's any moisture around that obviously doesn't bother him either," McKee said.
The stable isn't short on two-year-old talent with Tennessee also set for an upcoming central districts feature.
The Per Incanto filly has won two of her four starts and was equal eighth in the Listed Karaka Million after racing three wide.
Tennessee will make her next appearance in this Saturday's Gr.3 Phoenix Park Classic at New Plymouth. – NZ Racing Desk.