Exciting Mare Returns

Michael Guerin, NZ Herald reports:

One of the most anticipated returns of the racing spring is on target to be a success at Ellerslie tomorrow.  Drops Of God may have won only three races so far, but she has the stamp of a high-class sprinter and has opened the $1.75 favourite in today’s Shaw’s Open 1200m.

The daughter of Hello Youmzain started her career with a five-length maiden win last December before winning straight up into Rating 65 grade on New Year’s Day at Ellerslie, which is no small feat.

Her only defeat came with a third to subsequent Group 1 winner Belle Cheval and Bulgari in the Almanzor Trophy on Karaka Millions night, and she then overcame a three-month break to win the Cambridge Breeders Stakes, beating Platinum Pantheon after starting from barrier 14.

Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have been especially patient with Drops Of God, considering she was immensely impressive winning a black-type trial at Taup? back on August 16.

“We didn’t want to throw her straight into weight-for-age racing in the Group 1s, and there haven’t been that many other suitable kick-off races for her,” says Bergerson.

“But Saturday looks ideal, and she is ready to go well.”

Drops Of God gets into the race beautifully carrying just 54kg and with the natural early speed to use barrier 1, and if she wins tomorrow she will have far more lucrative targets ahead.

“She could go to a race like the Counties Bowl next, and then the Railway is a likely aim,” says Bergerson.

While she meets some quick rivals in tomorrow’s small but sharp field, it would be a surprise to see her beaten and she will be the anchor for many multi-punters.

The Matamata stable has huge hands to play at both Ellerslie and Riccarton tomorrow, the latter holding its last lead-up meeting to New Zealand Cup week.

Top Shelf and Savoir Faire take on proven Group 1 stars El Vencedor and Crocetti in the open 1600m at Ellerslie but have huge advantages in the weights, even with the two top-class gallopers at the head of the field using claiming apprentices.

“Top Shelf is racing well and has to be a good chance, and Michael McNab is riding superbly at the moment.”

Race 4 sees the highly rated Pilates stepping up to a strong Rating 65 after a stunning last-start Matamata, and while Bergerson thinks she could develop into a black-type mare, he is cautious only because he knows how hard that step up out of maiden can be.

“But she has always had plenty of speed so she should be able to handle it.”

The stable has a good opinion of another last-start winner in Day One (R7, No 5) but Bergerson says he still has some mental maturing to do and he is in a very deep Rating 75.

The Te Akau trainers find themselves with the favourites in both the black-type races at Riccarton, with Sword Of Stars the horse to beat in the $100,000 War Decree Stakes.

“She has to step up to 1400m, but she is bred to get further and, depending how she goes, we are even considering aiming her at the 2000 Guineas against the boys rather than the 1000 Guineas against her own sex.”

Bergerson admits he is a little surprised by the $2.35 TAB price for Hakkinen in the $80,000 Spring Classic.

“He has been really good in both his starts this campaign and we really like where he is heading, but this is a big jump up in class and a big field so he seems quite short first time in open company.”