Watch This Space
Trish Dunell
Auckland owner-breeder Emma Evans is dipping into the same well this weekend in the hope of reliving the excitement of a Group One win.
Eight years ago Evans won the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham with Dezigna, while Dezigna's brother Izonit finished third in the Gr.1 Levin Classic. That same season Izonit went on to win the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic before giving Evans a thrill when a close second in the Gr.2 Hollindale Cup in Queensland.
Both Dezigna and Izonit were co-trained by Wayne Hillis, who will saddle up a close relative, Watch This Space, in the Gr.1 Manco Easter Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday.
A four-year-old son of Elusive City, Watch This Space is from the five-race winner Multi Tasker, a half-sister to Dezigna and Izonit. It's a family Evans has been breeding from for many years and through which she has enjoyed numerous celebrations.
"We've been training for Emma since Dezigna was a four-year-old (2003) and I wouldn't know how many races we've won with her horses. I've lost count," said Hillis, who formerly trained in partnership with his wife, Vanessa, but is now preparing the team with Shaun Kesner.
"I counted up to 30 at one stage and haven't checked since. It must be up to 40 or 50 now.
"We've trained most of her horses.
"Emma is a very loyal owner and we're lucky to have her. I'd love to win the Easter for her."
Evans knows it will be tough to get one as good as Dezigna, the winner of 11 races including the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile and nine time Group One placed, but Watch This Space has been impressive as he has climbed through the grades in such a short time.
He had his first start 13 months ago, won second-up at Te Aroha, and his record now stands at five wins and seven placings from 17 starts.
He burst into the limelight when beating the Group One winner Julinsky Prince in the Gr.2 Japan – NZ International Trophy at Tauranga in his first black type assignment and rounded off his Easter preparation with a second behind the exciting Snapshot over 1400 metres at Te Aroha a fortnight ago.
"We just gave him that race at Te Aroha to keep him fit," said Hillis. "I was rapt with his run. He's worked well since and I know it's a strong field but he should go well."
Brendan Hutton has been aboard Watch This Space in his last two starts and has been retained for the ride in the Easter. – NZ Racing Desk.
Eight years ago Evans won the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham with Dezigna, while Dezigna's brother Izonit finished third in the Gr.1 Levin Classic. That same season Izonit went on to win the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic before giving Evans a thrill when a close second in the Gr.2 Hollindale Cup in Queensland.
Both Dezigna and Izonit were co-trained by Wayne Hillis, who will saddle up a close relative, Watch This Space, in the Gr.1 Manco Easter Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday.
A four-year-old son of Elusive City, Watch This Space is from the five-race winner Multi Tasker, a half-sister to Dezigna and Izonit. It's a family Evans has been breeding from for many years and through which she has enjoyed numerous celebrations.
"We've been training for Emma since Dezigna was a four-year-old (2003) and I wouldn't know how many races we've won with her horses. I've lost count," said Hillis, who formerly trained in partnership with his wife, Vanessa, but is now preparing the team with Shaun Kesner.
"I counted up to 30 at one stage and haven't checked since. It must be up to 40 or 50 now.
"We've trained most of her horses.
"Emma is a very loyal owner and we're lucky to have her. I'd love to win the Easter for her."
Evans knows it will be tough to get one as good as Dezigna, the winner of 11 races including the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile and nine time Group One placed, but Watch This Space has been impressive as he has climbed through the grades in such a short time.
He had his first start 13 months ago, won second-up at Te Aroha, and his record now stands at five wins and seven placings from 17 starts.
He burst into the limelight when beating the Group One winner Julinsky Prince in the Gr.2 Japan – NZ International Trophy at Tauranga in his first black type assignment and rounded off his Easter preparation with a second behind the exciting Snapshot over 1400 metres at Te Aroha a fortnight ago.
"We just gave him that race at Te Aroha to keep him fit," said Hillis. "I was rapt with his run. He's worked well since and I know it's a strong field but he should go well."
Brendan Hutton has been aboard Watch This Space in his last two starts and has been retained for the ride in the Easter. – NZ Racing Desk.