Australian sprinters First Command, Monton and Swift Alliance have had mixed fortunes at this morning’s barrier draw for Saturday’s $1m Group 1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham.
Lee Freedman’s First Command, who was favourite with NZ TAB before the barrier draw, is to start from the carpark, drawing the outside barrier of 24.
Even with the scratching of the six emergencies, First Command will still start from barrier 18.
He has subsequently eased out to the third line of betting at $8.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Swift Alliance fared much better, drawing barrier 10.
As a result, he has firmed into a $4 favourite.
It was a welcome change for the connections of Swift Alliance, who feared that he may not have made it to New Zealand due to storms.
He arrived in Auckland this morning, and is currently being transported by float to Trentham racecourse in Wellington.
Meanwhile, Tim Martin will be hoping for more luck with Monton after the Hobartville Stakes winner drew 14.
Monton started favourite in the first leg of New Zealand’s big sprint double, the Railway Stakes, on New Year’s Day.
However, he finished 8th behind rank outsider Miss Raggedy Ann, who lines up again on Saturday.
This week, he’ll front up as the outsider of the Australians at $10.
Kiwi attention will focus on glamour mare Katie Lee, multiple Group 1 winner Mufhasa and 3yo filly Twilight Savings.
Katie Lee was the champion 3yo filly of last season, and while she may find this short of her best, Graeme Rogerson will be hoping for a good run to indicate her potential this preparation.
She is currently the most favoured of the locals, on the second line of betting at $7.
Mufhasa is also at a distance short of his best, but will be looking for a good run as he prepares for the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 2.
Mufhasa, who races as King Mufhasa in Australia, has run third in the last two runnings of the George Ryder.
The unknown factor may come from three year old filly Twilight Savings.
Trained by Murray and Bjorn Baker, Twilight Savings has only missed a place once and at her last two starts has placed in both the New Zealand 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas (both 1600m).
A tilt at the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 12 is a possibility if Twilight Savings runs up to expectations.
Also at Trentham on Saturday, English import Doctor Fremantle makes his debut for the Baker stable in the Group 3 Trentham Stakes (2100m).
The Trentham Stakes is one of the major lead-ups to the Group 2 Wellington Cup (2400m) next weekend.
Doctor Fremantle was touted as a Cups hopeful upon his arrival in Australia, but he was sent to New Zealand after six very poor runs.
NZ 2000 Guineas winner Jimmy Choux and runner up He’s Remarkable will be looking to continue their rivalry in the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m).
Connections of Jimmy Choux are yet to decide whether to aim at the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the Group 1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m) or whether to stick at a mile and aim at the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) and the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).
He’s Remarkable will head to the New Zealand Derby.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
