Seen the Light on Trial for Guineas
- Thursday, 19 September 2002 00:00
The Manntari gelding showed the benefit of blinkers at Te Rapa, racing handier than he had in his previous outing and scoring a convincing win. Trainer Paul O'Sullivan reports that he has more than satisfied him in training since and expects a bold showing on Saturday.
"If he races up to expectations he can go forward to the Lindauer Guineas a fortnight later," said O'Sullivan, whose brother Lance will ride the black for the first time on Saturday.
Vanilla Sky rounded off a good week for Wexford Stables client Steve McCollam when she won fresh-up over 1200 metres at Avondale yesterday. The Player had done the same in McCollam's Augusta Bloodstock colours at Hastings last Saturday.
"I really liked the way she finished off her race at Avondale," O'Sullivan said, "and I think the win at 1200 metres was a bonus as she will be even better over more ground."
The Player, who like Vanilla Sky is by former Wexford Stables star O'Reilly, will race next in premier grade at Ellerslie on October 5.
Zabeel four-year-old Zafar makes his first public appearance since a debut win last autumn at tomorrow's Avondale trials.
"I want to give him some right-handed experience," explained O'Sullivan. "His first race back will probably be at Ellerslie in two weeks' time."
O'Sullivan does not hide the hopes he has for the impressive bay. "He's got enormous potential and we won't be hurrying him. I fancy having him ready to run in the Dunstan Stayers' series."
Media Release - TNZ