Multiple top-flight winner Waitak will again front Wexford Stables’ spring attack, which will also feature a quartet of quality age group contenders.
Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will tread a familiar path with Waitak, who is pleasing in his build-up toward a return in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on September 5.
Among the rising three-year-olds, winners Te Encuentro, Pounce and Dashing Dixie are all on target to reappear in the Listed Chittick Family Fillies Classic (1100m) at Taupo on August 16, while high hopes are also held for Fiamma.
“The team are really pleased with the way Waitak is coming along and he’s back doing a bit of fast work,” Scott said.
“We’re hoping to go on and trial him on August 16 at Taupo and we will look to kick him off in the Proisir Plate.”
All going well, Waitak will then defend his Group One titles in the Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) and the Livamol Classic (2040m).
“It’s the same path as last year and fingers crossed, we can get similar results again with him,” Scott said.
“He’s had a good, long break and we were mindful of not over-racing him last season and he’s coming up really well again.
“He’ll be our only one in the Group Ones, it’s always hard when you retire the likes of Tomodachi, Lux Libertas and Grail Seeker, good horses like that are really hard to find.”
Te Encuentro was a debut juvenile winner, finished runner-up in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and went to the paddock after an unplaced run in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m).
“She showed a lot of ability and being by Frankel was always going to be better at three,” Scott said.
“She’s coming along well and will trial on Tuesday week at Te Rapa and then head to Taupo.
“Pounce will do the same and Dashing Dixie is on that path as well.”
Almanzor filly Pounce was given a break following an impressive win at Ellerslie at her second appearance while Dashing Dixie was successful on debut and was spelled after the daughter of Alabama Express was out of the frame in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m).
The stable is blessed with an abundance of younger talent and Pinatubo filly Fiamma, fourth in her only start, is another expected to make her mark as a three-year-old.
“She’s a filly that will excel as the season goes on,” Scott said.
“We just gave her the one run and didn’t disappoint on debut, she has developed with a break and hopefully will be involved in those nice fillies’ races, we’ve got high hopes for her as well.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
