Queensland favoured for Entriviere

Group One winning mare Entriviere is likely to have a short break after finishing runner-up to fellow high-class mare Levante in Saturday’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.

The clash of the two top-liners had been one of the highlights of summer racing, with Entriviere drawing first blood in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) when comfortably accounting for Levante, only for the tables to be turned in both the Gr.1 Telegraph and BCD Group Sprint.

Saturday’s contest was an enthralling tactical affair in which Ryan Elliot aboard Levante pocketed Opie Bosson and Entriviere for much of the race before getting the first run when making an early move before the bend and staving off Entriviere, who was held up momentarily and shouldered between horses to make her challenge.

“I thought Entriviere’s run was solid,” trainer Jamie Richards told Weigh In.

“Unfortunately, we just got held up at the wrong time. Levante got up a full head of steam and just got that margin on us that we were unable to peg back.

“They are two quality mares. I think if you reverse the runs in the race, you reverse the result. Unfortunately, it didn’t go our way there on Saturday.

“She has come through it in good shape, and we will probably give her a little break now and look to have her ready for Brisbane in the winter.”

Richards, who has been licensed as a trainer in Hong Kong from next season, is set to depart New Zealand’s shores on April 1, along with partner Danielle Johnson.

 

Laurie Laxon commemoration postponed

The gathering to celebrate the life of Hall of Fame trainer Laurie Laxon, scheduled for February 24 at Karapiro, has been postponed.

COVID lockdown restrictions at the time of Laxon’s death in July meant delaying a public service, and continuing restrictions have further impacted on his family’s ability to be present.

A revised date will be notified in due course. 

 

Mr Brightside poised for winning return

A$5 million All-Star Mile contender Mr Brightside will resume in the Listed Elms Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday, where he will take on a strong field that includes 105 top-rater Elephant.  

Mr Brightside caught the eye last Friday morning when working home for a close-up fourth in an 800-metre straight track trial against the world’s best sprinter Nature Strip.

The Kiwi import made a good impression in his first campaign for Lindsay Park, winning six of his eight starts after being purchased from Ralph Manning’s stable.

“I think the Elms Handicap will be a good kick-off point for him. There will be good improvement from his first-up run and we’re aware that last preparation he was narrowly beaten first-up,” Ben Hayes told racing.com.

“I think he’s a different horse this time around and he’s on track to hopefully get him to the All-Star Mile.”

A son of Bullbars, Mr Brightside is likely to go from the Elms Handicap to the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) in a fortnight where he will be racing for a ballot-free run in the March 14 All-Star Mile at Flemington.

He was already sitting in a top-five position in the publicly voted order of entry for the lucrative race.