The future prospects for rising star Checkmate continue to be uncertain for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, after the impressive three-year-old trounced his rivals in the Sunday’s Cloudsoft Accounting 1500 at Ellerslie.
Having just his fifth start, Checkmate entered the three-year-old contest off the back of a defeat to Yaldi and Midnight Edition in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) on Boxing Day. Yaldi started a narrow favourite ahead of Checkmate in the re-match, where the former pressed forward to trail Midnight Edition the one-one, while his main rival did the opposite, settling at the back alongside Hinekaha.
Turning for home, Yaldi strode up and took the lead from Midnight Edition, but coming strongly on the inner was Checkmate, who showed a serious turn-of-foot to dash away from the field under Warren Kennedy, with Hinekaha a game second ahead of Yaldi and outsider Fun Never Sets.
After racing closer to the speed in the Guineas, Kennedy was pleased to see a change in tactics pay off on Sunday.
“The plan with him today was to just drop right out and teach him to settle off them, and he did that beautifully,” Kennedy said. “He was very professional.
“The key to this race was there was a decent pace throughout, he was able to come from behind and quicken off that pace. Previously, they’ve slowed it right down and sprinted up the straight, so the wheels have been spinning a bit and he wasn’t able to quicken. Today, he’s been able to quicken and scooted away from them pretty easily.
“He’s a smart horse and he’s got a bright future.”
A winner of the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) two starts back, the victory was Checkmate’s second over 1500m, the distance of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). Wexford Stables hold a slot for the inaugural running on March 8, but with the $1.5 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) on the same day, which way the gelding will go remains to be seen.
Kennedy expressed his faith towards the in-form training partnership in making that call, however, he did lean towards the Derby when questioned.
“I don’t interfere, they (O’Sullivan and Scott) are flying at the moment, they can’t do anything wrong,” Kennedy said. “Whatever they decide, I’m sure it’ll be the right move.
“But, if it’s anything to go by, my first instinct when riding him the first time was that he was a Derby horse. Could he get to the slot, absolutely, but in my heart, I feel he’s a better Derby horse.”
A delighted Scott shared similar praise in the performance, while indicating no future decisions have been made.
“He quickened really well, he’s had a really good experience of settling in,” Scott said.
“Whether he goes two corners now or goes over the mile, we’ve got decisions to make, but it was really good to see him show a turn of foot over a short distance. He had a bit of a tough trip here in the Guineas on Boxing Day, and with the cover today, he relaxed and that turn of foot was back.
“We’ll go back and have a board meeting tomorrow morning, we’ll talk to Corrina and Ross (Kearney, owners) who are incredibly patient, they always say the horse must come first.
“We’ll do the best thing by him, whether it’s going further, and Warren’s keen to look a bit further. We’ll see how he pulls up, but either way, there is success in his future.
“He’s got high levels of ability, he’s a big baby. When he turns four, he’s going to be some horse.”
A homebred son of Mongolian Khan, Checkmate races in the colours of the Kearney’s Okaharau Station. He is the fifth foal out of their successful broodmare Signorina, who has also produced Group Two performer Jodelin Gal and Bankers Choice, who placed at Group Two level in Australia.
His five starts have resulted in three wins and two minor placings, and $128,410 in stakes earnings.
In the TAB Futures market for the NZB Kiwi, Checkmate now lies a $10 equal-fourth favourite with Aeliana, just adrift of Evaporate, Savaglee and Damask Rose at $8. In the Derby, the gelding is a $5 second-elect behind Willydoit ($2.80). – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
