Yulong’s Head of Racing, Danny Rolston, will be back in familiar territory this week, with high hopes of celebrations on multiple fronts.
The expatriate New Zealander assumed his new role on August 1 and will be on track at Ellerslie for their star performer Well Written’s return to action in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m).
Rolston joined Yulong after four years with the Hong Kong Jockey Club as Executive Manager International Sale/Owner Advisory Services following 18 years with New Zealand Bloodstock, most recently as Director of Sales.
The Stephen Marsh-trained daughter of Written Tycoon will bid to stretch her unbeaten record to seven and collect her second top-flight title alongside her New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) crown.
As The NZB Kiwi (1500m) winner, she will also be chasing New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s $500,000 bonus as the first from that event to claim a domestic Group One victory as a four-year-old, and on Sunday is a short-priced favourite for Horse of the Year honours.
“I’ll get in toward the end of the week and catch up with a few horses we’ve got in training in New Zealand, then the races on Saturday and the awards,” Rolston said.
“Obviously, we’ve got Well Written in the Group One and with any luck we might receive an award at the NZTR function on Sunday. I’m hoping it’s a good weekend for the green and white.”
Flagship performer Well Written was a trial winner at Taupo ahead of her return and all signs since have been positive.
“I talk to Stephen regularly and his stable comms are exceptional,” Rolston said.
“He’s given the mare really good reports all the way through, so it’s been a seamless sort of delivery into the Group One, Stephen is certainly happy and the stablemate has been a bit under the radar too.”
He was referring to the Yulong-raced Media World, who gave a strong account of himself when runner-up in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) in his New Zealand debut.
“He ran great in the Foxbridge, I don’t think he’s good enough to beat her (Well Written), but he can be right in the finish,” Rolston said.
“We’ve got two live chances and obviously there will be a sentimental favourite in Alabama Lass, I think all of New Zealand will be cheering her home for Ken and the late Bev Kelso.”
The Proisir Plate will likely be Well Written’s sole start in New Zealand this spring, with trainer Stephen Marsh indicating she will head across the Tasman to target either the Listed Silver Eagle (1300m) or Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) before progressing to her main assignment, the A$10 million Gr.1 Golden Eagle (1500m) at Randwick on October 31.
Rolston also provided updates on other Yulong-owned former New Zealand gallopers Ohope Wins and Autumn Glory.
The former won the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) for Wexford Stables before relocating to Chris Waller’s operation to claim the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m).
She was unplaced in the Gr.2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) when opening her spring campaign.
“Ohope Wins had a good blow-out and has trained on nicely since, she’s likely to be stepping out next in the Makybe Diva (Gr.1, 1600m),” Rolston said.
“Autumn Glory is not going to be presented in the spring, she had a delay with her preparation and is currently spelling.”
She won the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) before finishing second in both the New Zealand Oaks and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) for Roger James and Robert Wellwood before transferring to Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
