What's The Story
Race Images Palmerston North
Stephen McKee will hunt Group One trophies on both sides of the Tasman on Saturday.
McKee has O'Rachael primed for the Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni, while Gr.1 New Zealand Derby runner-up What's The Story tackles the $A2 million Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.
What's The Story will be McKee's first runner in Sydney since 10-time Group One winner Mufhasa ran second in the Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill in April 2013, though the Auckland trainer is certainly no stranger to Doncaster Day, having produced champion mare Sunline to win the 1600m feature race in 1999 and 2002 when working in partnership with his father Trevor.
Oddly, McKee was in Sydney when he spoke to NZ Racing Desk about What's The Story's prospects for the Derby, though his horse wasn't. The plane booked to fly What's The Story was delayed by 24 hours until Thursday night.
McKee was philosophical about the setback, saying What's The Story was in peak fitness ahead of the Derby and the travel delay only meant he wouldn't get a familiarisation gallop at Randwick that he hoped for before Saturday.
"I might try and see if I can give him a trot on the inside track at Randwick on Saturday morning. He doesn't race until 3pm," McKee said.
"He doesn't need any more work anyway so that hasn't been a problem."
McKee gave What's The Story a quiet week after the New Zealand Derby and has been thrilled with the Savabeel colt's progress since.
"He freshened up nicely and he's worked really well, really strong," McKee said.
"They are still calling the track here a soft seven and we'd prefer it to come back a lot more. It is drying out and they are predicting it will be 28 degrees here on Saturday so that will help. As long as he can get his feet in the ground, he'll be pretty competitive. The 2400m around Randwick should really suit him."
What's The Story has had seven starts for two wins, his remarkable win at Ellerslie in his Derby lead-up run was a memorable one after he received midrace interference that turned him sideways and cost him several lengths at a crucial point of the race.
The New Zealand TAB has him as a $14 fifth favourite behind $1.95 favourite Tarzino, with Kiwi gallopers Tavago at $31 and (Oh So) Splendido at $101.
Meanwhile, the outside barrier of 12 has dampened McKee's confidence with O'Rachael at Awapuni.
"The draw's a bit average but she'll probably roll forward from there. It might help because she doesn't like being bottled up between runners. I expect her to run 1400m out pretty well," he said.
"Her run in the Diamond Stakes was good. She only went down a neck and a nose and she's done well since then." - NZ Racing Desk
McKee has O'Rachael primed for the Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni, while Gr.1 New Zealand Derby runner-up What's The Story tackles the $A2 million Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.
What's The Story will be McKee's first runner in Sydney since 10-time Group One winner Mufhasa ran second in the Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill in April 2013, though the Auckland trainer is certainly no stranger to Doncaster Day, having produced champion mare Sunline to win the 1600m feature race in 1999 and 2002 when working in partnership with his father Trevor.
Oddly, McKee was in Sydney when he spoke to NZ Racing Desk about What's The Story's prospects for the Derby, though his horse wasn't. The plane booked to fly What's The Story was delayed by 24 hours until Thursday night.
McKee was philosophical about the setback, saying What's The Story was in peak fitness ahead of the Derby and the travel delay only meant he wouldn't get a familiarisation gallop at Randwick that he hoped for before Saturday.
"I might try and see if I can give him a trot on the inside track at Randwick on Saturday morning. He doesn't race until 3pm," McKee said.
"He doesn't need any more work anyway so that hasn't been a problem."
McKee gave What's The Story a quiet week after the New Zealand Derby and has been thrilled with the Savabeel colt's progress since.
"He freshened up nicely and he's worked really well, really strong," McKee said.
"They are still calling the track here a soft seven and we'd prefer it to come back a lot more. It is drying out and they are predicting it will be 28 degrees here on Saturday so that will help. As long as he can get his feet in the ground, he'll be pretty competitive. The 2400m around Randwick should really suit him."
What's The Story has had seven starts for two wins, his remarkable win at Ellerslie in his Derby lead-up run was a memorable one after he received midrace interference that turned him sideways and cost him several lengths at a crucial point of the race.
The New Zealand TAB has him as a $14 fifth favourite behind $1.95 favourite Tarzino, with Kiwi gallopers Tavago at $31 and (Oh So) Splendido at $101.
Meanwhile, the outside barrier of 12 has dampened McKee's confidence with O'Rachael at Awapuni.
"The draw's a bit average but she'll probably roll forward from there. It might help because she doesn't like being bottled up between runners. I expect her to run 1400m out pretty well," he said.
"Her run in the Diamond Stakes was good. She only went down a neck and a nose and she's done well since then." - NZ Racing Desk