Cover image by Dan Himbrechts courtesy of AAP Photos

Written by Paul Vettise

Kinane (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has made a more than favourable impression on the track during his brief career.

The Chris Waller-trained 3-year-old finished runner-up in his first two starts before breaking his maiden at Wyong and then handled a sharp rise in class with aplomb when successful in the G3 Frank Packer Plate at Randwick.

Substantial offers subsequently for flowed for Kinane, reportedly in excess of $2.5 million, but they were all turned down and the 3-year-old will step out in Saturday’s G3 Lexus Gunsynd Classic at Eagle Farm.

The gelding arrived in Brisbane on Monday to the care of Paul Shailer, who runs Waller’s Queensland operation at the Gold Coast.

“He’s a lovely horse, but he’s just a plain bay horse and doesn’t stand out compared to others. He certainly looks like a stayer, he’s built like one and he’s very well put together in that respect,” Shailer said.

“He was very good in the Frank Packer Plate and he had a very light gallop, just a maintenance gallop to clear his wind, on the course proper on Thursday morning. Glen Colless rode him and was very happy.

“The horse pulled up well and he’s bright and happy. He’s going into Saturday very well, but in saying that he’s got an awkward barrier to contend with.

“We’re lucky it’s at Eagle Farm and not Doomben and that plays into our hands a little bit. It’s a bit easier to come from the back at Eagle Farm and we’ve got a good jockey on in Ryan Maloney.

“He’ll navigate a passage and if the horse is good enough he’ll give a good account of himself. I’m not sure what Chris has got in mind, we’re just concentrating on getting the horse there safely and in good order.”

Bred by Greg Tomlinson’s Nearco Stud, Kinane was purchased out of Phoenix Park’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale by agent Phill Cataldo for NZ$165,000 and is raced by a syndicate that includes trainer Mick Kent.

When he decided to take a break from training earlier this year, he transferred Kinane to Waller.

He is the first foal of Tres Rapide (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu {NZ}), who is out of a half-sister to the G3 Taranaki 2YO Classic winner Magic Dancer (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and Manten (Encosta De Lago). He was successful nine times and placed at Group 1 level.

Juvenile prospect

Waller will also be represented in the G2 Moet & Chandon Champagne Classic by the promising Kukeracha (NZ) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}).

Raced by long-time stable client Neville Morgan, the 2-year-old was a debut winner at Geelong before he made late ground to finish fourth at Randwick.

Kukeracha only arrived in Queensland on Thursday morning and Shailer said the colt was in great condition.

He was bred by Waikato Stud vet Dr Chris Phillips and sold through the Matamata farm’s New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale draft for NZ$130,000 to agent Guy Mulcaster.

Phillips purchased the dam Portrait Of A Lady (USA) (AP Indy {USA}) at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale for $40,000 and she has a colt at foot by Sacred Falls (NZ) and is in foal to Ocean Park (NZ).

Watch: Kukeracha (NZ) as a yearling

Also the dam of the G3 Keith Nolan Classic and Listed Scone Cup winner Cameo (Shamardal {USA}), Portrait Of A Lady is a half-sister to the dual Group 3 winner and sire Layman (USA) and a family that had a major Australasian influence through leading sire Iffraaj (GB).

Kukeracha is a possible G1 JJ Atkins S. starter, as are stablemates Overlord (Sebring), Yangtze Rapids (Frankel {GB}) and Achiever (Pride Of Dubai), depending on their performances at Randwick in the Darley 2YO H.

Written by Paul Vettise

Steve Tregea’s breeding to race operation has served him well under his Windemere Stud banner and stakes winner Niccanova (Nicconi) will be out to add to the record at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The Toowoomba-based horseman is happy with the 6-year-old’s condition ahead of a return to racing in the G2 TAB Victory S., which could be the springboard to chase higher honours during the Queensland carnival.

Niccanova has won nine of his 24 starts, including success at Listed level in the Brisbane H. and the Bernborough S. before a break after finishing second in the Listed Sunshine Coast Cup in January.

“He’s ready to go and he goes well at Eagle Farm. He doesn’t mind a bit of give in the track, but it’s hard to know how that track will race. It’s been given a break so it should be alright for Saturday at least.

“He had a jump-out last week and beat them easily and he had another gallop on the course proper this week.”

While Niccanova has fashioned a tidy record, Saturday will provide him with the sternest test of his career.

“He’s a terrific horse and a real trier, but he’s not proven at this level yet. He went to another level last prep and seems to be getting better as he gets older,” Tregea said.

“He’s always been a bit fragile and not the biggest, robust horse around. The last prep he really came into his own and ate a lot better and won a couple of Listed races.

“We’re hoping for a really good run going into the G1 Stradbroke H. and there’s any one of eight or so horse could win it on Saturday.”

Tregea is currently working up a dozen horses and all of them are home produced .

“Twelve is as many as we want in and it varies. We just turned out five or six 2-year-olds, they all get coughs and colds and things so we’ve got 10 left,” he said.

“We’ve bred them all and we’ve got eight mares in foal this year and it can be anywhere between eight and 15, that’s enough.”

Niccanova is out of the unraced Snippetson mare Dananova, who unfortunately passed away.

“She went to Nicconi with a foal on her and came back in the middle of the night and it rained and we found her dead. She must have been walking the fence and banged her head, it’s just one of those things but we have got a full-sister to her,” Tregea said.

Dananova’s sister Dane Princess won four races, including one at metropolitan level, and her first foal Angel Dane (Zizou) was also successful on four occasions.

“She was a good mare and we did send her to Nicconi as well, but the foal died when it was 12 months old so we had a rough run, but that’s what you get with breeding,” Tregea said.

Follow that filly

Eagle Farm, G2 Moet & Chandon Champagne Classic, $175,000, 1200m

Isotope (Deep Field) will put her unbeaten record on the line against a small, but select line-up of youngsters with most of them out to boost their claims for the upcoming G1 JJ Atkins S.

The Tony Gollan-trained filly has yet to be tested in two appearances and, while this is her stiffest test, on the evidence of her brace of wins she has more to offer.

Rothfire (Rothesay) was beaten for the first time in five starts when runner-up at the Gold Coast in March. He has been freshened and has an abundance of talent.

So has Wild Ruler (Snitzel), who won at the trials last week and the only question mark will be where he can slot in from the outside barrier. The Drinks Cart (Unencumbered) resumed in fine style with an easy victory and can be expected to strip sharper for the outing.

Kukeracha (NZ) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) was a debut winner and his latest run for fourth, when he made late ground behind the highly-regarded Peltzer (So You Think {NZ}), was also encouraging.

Image well-placed

Eagle Farm, G2 TAB Victory S., $175,000, 1200m

With two runs under his belt, Deep Image (Testa Rossa) should strip at peak fitness and he’s already a four-time winner on the course.

The 6-year-old was a close second last time out to Tambo’s Mate (Mossman), a race rival and strong chance again, and meets that runner 1.5kg better off in weights.

There has been merit in all three of the returning runs of Kementari (Lonhro) and he too is much better off under the conditions of this race. Chapter And Verse (Rothesay) has a smart record when fresh and the roomier track suits his style.

Winter Bride (Not A Single Doubt) was Group 1-placed earlier this year and has enjoyed a trial to ready her for her return. She has posted four wins when produced off a break.

Vega One (Lope De Vega {Ire}) finished strongly for fourth behind Tambo’s Mate last time out and is a serious chance again while Victorem (I Am Invincible) bucked out of the gates in that race. His previous form was impressive and he has trialled to the satisfaction of stewards.

Kinane hard to roll

Eagle Farm, G3 Lexus Gunsynd Classic, $115,000, 1800m

Kinane (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has come a long way in a short time, coming off a maiden win to claim the G3 Frank Packet Plate at his fourth outing. He has trialled in between times and should be suited by this trip and the roomy track gives him a chance to overcome an awkward gate.

Profit (Dundeel {NZ}) is racing well and the bigger course will give him every opportunity to continue his solid form while stablemate Ballistic Boy (Smart Missile) is also a genuine customer, with the only query on him the extra distance.

Supergiant (NZ) (Red Giant {USA}) gave them a fright when runner-up in the Listed Daybreak Lover and, if left to his own devices in front, is at least a place chance again.

Sky Horse (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is a progressive filly and she has the pedigree to suggest the further she goes the more effective she can be.

Smart Meteor (Smart Missile) and Don’t Waiver (Not A Single Doubt) missed out in the Daybreak Lover, but they are both proven over ground and 1800 metres gives them a chance to bounce back at odds.

Distance key

Flemington, Listed Hilton Nicholas Straight Six, $112,000, 1200m

Milwaukee (Fastnet Rock) has produced solid performances at his last two appearances and most recently was a close third on the course. The extra 200 metres will suit him as his record emphasises with five victories at the trip.

Malibu Style (Magnus) is a genuine sprinter and is a strong place hope while Home Of Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) and, while he has his share of weight, has met and matched better fields than this before.

Rich Charm (Danerich) has had his share of issues, but at best is a major contender while Rox The Castle (NZ) (Castledale {Ire}) and Romancer (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) are fresh and with winning first-up records to consider in an open line-up.

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Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.

Today, we like the chances at Randwick of a pair of youngsters out of Group 1 winners while at Newcastle a 3-year-old who raced boldly on debut looks capable of showing winning improvement.

Randwick, Race 1, 11.30am AEST, Darley 2YO H., $100,000, 1300m

Overlord (Sebring) profiles well for this race with an improving form line and a high-class sprint-biased pedigree to back the colt’s prospects. He is a the first foal to race for the former top mare Red Tracer (Dane Shadow), winner of 15 races including the Myer Classic and the Tattersall’s Tiara at Group 1 level.

She is a sister to the G1 Galaxy H. winner Shellscrape and a half-sister to Counterattack (Redoute’s Choice), who won the G3 Fred Best Classic. Overlord was third on debut before he finished runner-up behind Peltzer (So You Think {NZ}), again a race rival, from the outside barrier on this course. With the gates reversed, the Chris Waller-trained chestnut can turn the tables.

Randwick, Race 3, 12.40pm AEST, Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation H., $100,000, 2000m

Reinvest (Redoute’s Choice) was a $450,000 graduate of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is a half-brother to multiple winner High Rev (Fastnet Rock). They are sons of the G1 Schweppes Oaks and G3 Doomben Roses winner Invest (Dehere {USA}), a daughter of the G1 Flight S. winner Unearthly (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).

It is a family that has starred over ground so there’s every confidence the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Reinvest will be a handful over this trip. He has been successful in both of his starts up to a mile and looks a strong chance to maintain his winning habit.

Newcastle, Race 1, 11.37am AEST, TLE Newcastle Mdn, $31,500, 1200m

The Bjorn Baker-trained Brook Hill (Hinchinbrook) came off two encouraging trials to finish a sound third at the first time of asking over this course and distance earlier this month. The gelding will again be ridden by Mitchell Bell and with natural improvement looks well-placed to open his account.

A half-brother to three winners, Brook Hill was a $110,000 purchase at the Gold Coast and is a son of Bellbird Hill (Ashkalani {Ire}). She was successful twice up to 1100 metres and is a half-sister to the multiple stakes-winner Unanimously (Not A Single Doubt) and also the family of the black type winners The Travelling Man (Mossman), British Lion (Celtic Swing) and British General (General Nediym).

We hope you enjoyed reading today's edition of TDN AusNZ. If you have any feedback or ideas, please don't hesitate to reach out.

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