Blinkers to help Richards duo on raceday

Trainer Jamie Richards admits that his pair of three-year-olds set to contest Saturday’s Gr.3 WRC Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) are difficult to get a line on at home.

Need I Say More ($3.50) and Your Point ($4.20) will represent the Matamata trainer and the undefeated geldings have been installed at the top of the market for the early season three-year-old feature.

“Need I Say More has done well,” Richards said. “He is a laid-back sort of horse who is a bit hard to get a line on at home.

“His first trial was very good and then we put him in between a couple (of other horses) in a trial at Te Teko and he just had a bit of a gawk around.

“We have just left the visor blinkers for raceday and any moisture that remains in the track will be of an assist for him, even though he will handle better ground, I think he gets away with the softer stuff better than most.”

Your Point is another talented galloper that has had two trials in readiness for his raceday return.

“He was a little bit plain in his first trial but trialled up really well at Te Teko with the blinkers back on and we were pleased with his work on Tuesday morning,” Richards said.

“We will get a good line on him against some nice progressive early spring three-year-olds.”

Time Test fully booked

Little Avondale Stud stallion Time Test’s book is now fully subscribed for the 2020 breeding season.

The son of Dubawi is set to cover 135 mares and Stud principals Sam and Catriona Williams are delighted with the support he has received from breeders.

Time Test welcomed his first crop of Southern Hemisphere foals last year and the Williams’ said they have received positive reports from breeders.

“Time Test’s first foals in 2019 were greeted with universal admiration in both hemispheres and the fact that so few were put up for public auction in Australasia is testimony to their quality and their owners’ confidence,” the stud said in a statement.

Any breeders who have missed out on securing a 2020 service are encouraged to contact LA [email protected] or 0274 853400, and reserve a spot on the waiting list.

Hello Youmzain in search of third Group One

Group One winning entire Hello Youmzain will take on 12 rivals in the early hours of Sunday morning when he aims to repeat last year's success in the Gr.1 Betfair Sprint Cup (1200m) at Haydock Park.

The Cambridge Stud-owned son of Kodiac broke through for his first Group One win in this race 12 months ago and has a very good record at Haydock with two wins and a second from three starts. His other victory at the track came in the Gr.2 Sandy Lane Stakes (1200m) when he defeated Calyx.

The race will jump on Sunday at 2.25am New Zealand time on Trackside as the Gr.1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) winner looks to add a third Group One to his resume.

The Kevin Ryan-trained four-year-old was runner-up in the Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest (1300m) last start.

Additional race in Filly of the Year series

The schedule for New Zealand Bloodstock’s prestigious Filly of the Year Series has been confirmed for 2020-21, with NZB committed to delivering another successful year of sponsorship towards the sought-after title.

The new season will see the number of legs contested increase from 10 to 11, with Waikato Racing Club to host the new addition in the $70,000 Group Three Soliloquy Stakes (1400m).

As a result of COVID-19 and a rescheduling of the New Zealand racing calendar, the Soliloquy Stakes, traditionally run at Ellerslie, will now take place on 24 October at Te Rapa.

“I think that it’s fantastic the race is included in this year’s NZB Filly of the Year Series,” Waikato Racing Club chief executive Andrew Castles said.

“As contenders progress out of the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) through towards the 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m), I think having that 1400m race in the Series is an ideal distance for the transition.

“Last year we saw the ultimate Group One Oaks-winning filly in Jennifer Eccles place in the race and I think contesting the 1400m distance early in their preparation is ideal.

“It works out well at that time of year and I’m sure we will see a wonderful field line up at Te Rapa on the Saturday of labour weekend.”

The first leg of the Series is the Gr.3 Hawke's Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) run on 19 September.