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Force of will primed for Vinery

Group Three winner Force Of Will has arrived in Sydney ahead of her tilt at the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained filly is still finding her feet after flying over to Sydney on Monday, but her connections are confident she will settle in well ahead of her weekend assignment. “She arrived yesterday evening. She went for a trot and canter this morning and she is sound,” O’Sullivan told SENtrack. “She didn’t eat a lot ...

Derby winner makes the most of Tauranga outing

Exciting three-year-old Rocket Spade provided his connections with the perfect dress rehearsal for his Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) challenge next month when he gave his age-group rivals a start and a beating over 1600m at Tauranga on Saturday. The last start Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner looked a picture of health as he paraded before the start and raced accordingly as he proved too classy in the closing stages of the contest. Rider Craig Grylls allowed the Fastnet Rock colt to amble a...

Sydney beckons New Zealand Derby winner Rocket Spade

Twenty-four hours on from winning the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) with Rocket Spade on Sunday, trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott were basking in the glory of a job well done.The training duo quite rightly celebrated the blue riband victory with close friends and family in Matamata on Sunday night after leaving a strangely quiet Ellerslie, which conducted the feature meeting a day later than planned under COVID-19 alert level 2 conditions.“It was a really satisfying win and great ...

Rocket Spade wins thrilling New Zealand Derby

In a desperate three-way finish to the blue riband Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m), it was race favourite Rocket Spade who came out on top at the conclusion of a thrilling contest.The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained colt had gone into the race off a strong performance to win the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) in his final lead-up to Sunday’s feature event at Ellerslie.That run had hinted the son of Fastnet Rock would thrive on the 2400m of the Derby and so it proved as rider...

Wexford eyeing Sydney with Force Of Will

A Sydney autumn raid could still be on the cards for exciting three-year-old filly Force Of Will. The daughter of Power was scratched from the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) earlier this month after trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott weren’t happy with the routine bloods taken from her a couple of days prior. They have been happy with the way she has bounced back and a trip across the Tasman to contest the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 27 is now being favoured ov...

Hermitage gunning for Derby redemption with Rocket Spade

For the second year running, Hermitage Thoroughbreds has a three-year-old with a huge chance to win the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m).Rocket Spade confirmed his spot at the head of the male classic crop with a tough victory in the Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas (2100m), hitting the line strongly to defeat Jason Belltree and On Display.In doing so, Rocket Spade followed the path of Dragon Leap, who like Rocket Spade had also won the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) on New Year’s Day.Both are ...

Rocket Spade cements Derby claims with Avondale Guineas victory

Well fancied Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) candidate Rocket Spade threw down the gauntlet to his three-year-old rivals when he produced a strong staying performance to capture the Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie.The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained colt had entered Saturday’s vital Derby lead-up as the $4.50 second favourite for the blue riband event in a fortnight and strengthened his claims as he overcame a rocky run in midfield to storm home out wide and ...

Oaks reward looms for Force Of Will

Talented Matamata filly Force Of Will keeps raising the bar, so much so that another bold performance this weekend is likely to clinch her a start in a Group One race she hasn't even been nominated for. The Power filly will chase her fourth consecutive win when she tackles Saturday's Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa, having progressed from a maiden win through to last-start success in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham. Should she extend her winning sequence on S...

Te Rapa test for Derby favourite

Exciting three-year-old Rocket Spade is tackling older horses at Te Rapa on Wednesday as part of his preparation for the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m). Rocket Spade, trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott at Matamata, is the favourite on the TAB futures market for the Derby following his victory in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. In previous years the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) was run on the first weekend of February, giving trainers with ...

Force Of Will too strong in Desert Gold Stakes

Matamata visitor Force Of Will carried on her winning way when she proved too strong for her rivals in the Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained filly travelled south to Trentham off the back of consecutive wins at Tauranga, including an eye-catching performance against the older horses over 1400m at her last start.Stepped up to the mile against her own age and sex this time, the Power filly travelled sweetly in midfiel...

SOLD - Almanzor Colt

The team are thrilled to have purchased Lot 298 - Almanzor (FR) – Caminadora (USA), Bay Colt. By a first season sire who has been selling incredibly well, out of a More Than Ready Mare, this cracking colt is athletic, a great walker and has a real sense of class about him. He had a spotless set of X-rays and was purchased to trade. He looks like he'll do the job as an Autumn 2YO. Secured for $130,000, we thought this was exceptional value for the quality of horse he is. Shares are available! ...

Shares Available - Beautiful Staying Filly

Introducing Lot 363 Contributer (IRE) – Due Diligence (NZ) bay filly, secured for $110,000 at the Karaka yearling sales. We purchased and trained her dam 'Due Diligence' (by Danasinga), who was a group 2 winner. This filly is a replica of her mother! She’s got a good mind, walks well and will be one for the Karaka Million Mile as a 3YO. She is a lovely mile/staying type of filly and looks like she will run a guineas trip. She vetted very clean. Shares are available in this lovely filly by a ...

SOLD - Cracking Trade Colt

A neat horse with great athleticism and a big walk (you know what they say - if they can walk, they can gallop!), he was purchased with trading in mind. He’s got some of the best bloodlines, with Fastnet Rock and Danehill on his pedigree page. Purchased for $100,000, he was incredibly good value for a Contributor in this sale. The stallion on the rise has proven to be very popular and $100,000 is on the lower end of the scale for what people are prepared to pay for a Contributor. He was purch...

SOLD - Vadamos Colt

By an up and coming stallion who has really impressed us, out of a young Commands mare that goes back to Galileo (the best sire in the world!) and Foxwood (one of New Zealand’s more prolific families) we were drawn to this colt's pedigree page. He’s a strong dark colour, with a big flat shoulder and an enormous walk. He’s from a top farm in Valachi Downs, where yearlings get the best possible start. He has clean X-rays and good scope. He looks like he’ll make a beautiful late 2YO. Secur...

Shares Available - Karaka Million Filly

Wexford have struck early at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yealing Sales! The team are thrilled to have secured lot 12 - Iffraaj x Oscar’s Shadow, brown filly for $70,000. From a fast family and by a leading 2YO sire, this filly will get up and run and will be aimed at the 2022 Karaka Million. With shares available, get in touch with the team for more info. Andrew - 0273602276Lance - 021488884Lisa Dunbar (office) - wexford@xtra.co.nz...

Rocket Spade delivers Guineas repeat

Owners Hermitage Thoroughbreds and trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have gone back-to-back, scoring their second consecutive victory in the Gr.2 SkyCity Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on Friday.The combination captured last year’s edition of the three-year-old feature with Dragon Leap, and have struck Guineas gold again 12 months later with Rocket Spade.Making his first start since a close fifth behind Aegon in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in early ...

Asano quickly off the mark in northern stint

Leading South Island apprentice Kozzi Asano wasted no time in registering his first win for Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott when he guided Spring Heat (More Than Ready) to an impressive victory at Ellerslie on Saturday. Asano, who is indentured to trainer Andrew Carston at Riccarton, has moved north for a few months to spend time with Wexford Stables and to be mentored by O’Sullivan during that time.Runner-up in last season’s jockeys’ premiership with78 wins...

Summer Passage: From Retirement to Winner's Stall

Trainer Lance O’Sullivan was beaming after former top juvenile Summer Passage made a welcome return to the winner’s enclosure at Matamata on Saturday, when striding clear in a rating 74 1200m contest. O’Sullivan, who prepares the Snitzel gelding in partnership with Andrew Scott, was brimming with confidence before the race having labelled the former top juvenile as a near certainty based on his recent trackwork and an impressive run over 1000m at the Rotorua trials last month. “We’re c...

Dragon Leap side-lined

(Article by NZ Racing Desk) Kiwi four-year-old Dragon Leap has suffered a set-back that will curtail his Sydney spring campaign. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained gelding had looked in for a good preparation, having found the line well for eighth in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) , beaten just two lengths, and was on target for the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m). “It’s a minor injury and certainly nothing of any note that is going to have any long-term effect on his racing career...

Strong Win by El Roca Filly

(Article by NZ Racing Desk) One of the more impressive winners on the program at Matamata on Wednesday was the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained filly Escudo. The daughter of El Roca had been placed once as a two-year-old when splitting Yourpoint and Vernazza and showed good progression from two to three when winning the GCM Feeds (1200m) maiden in good fashion. “It was pleasing how she settled well and quickened in what looked to be an even little field,” Scott said. “The way sh...

Dragon Leap bounces through fresh up assignment

Lance O’Sullivan, who trains in partnership with Andrew Scott, was pleased with the fresh-up run of quality four-year-old Dragon Leap, who finished 8th in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.The son of Pierro was only two lengths from the winner Dreamforce and will derive plenty of benefit from the hit-out.“I was very pleased with the run and how close he finished to the winner, albeit there wasn’t a great margin first to last,” O’Sullivan said.“There is plen...

Dragon Ready to Leap the Tasman

The lightly-tried gelding is expected to be best suited to a mile as an older horse and topped off his preparations with an exhibition gallop between races at Matamata last Saturday.“We were happy with him,” O’Sullivan said. “It was testing conditions (heavy10) and he ran nice time considering the ground.“He has pulled up well and we’re very pleased.”Dragon Leap is set to commence his campaign in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 5 and could be aimed at one o...

Wexford team building with Sydney ambitions

Quality gallopers Charles Road and Dragon Leap are making good progress ahead of their spring campaigns. Lucrative Sydney targets are high on the agenda for the duo should COVID-19 immigration challenges to enable staff to travel from New Zealand to Australia be overcome. “Charles Road and Dragon Leap are both in the same boat, we’re trying to get to Australia,” O’Sullivan said. Group One performed stayer Charles Road was back in action at the Te Rapa trials last week, where he finished ...

First winner for Pure Champion

The maiden victory of the John Sadler-trained three-year-old Manhattan Spector at Ballarat on Sunday provided his Group One-winning sire Pure Champion with his first winner.Ridden by Regan Bayliss, Manhattan Spector sat outside the leader throughout and out-toughed his rivals over 1500m, having placed at his previous outing at Werribee.Pure Champion retired to Mike and Barbara Cooney’s Willow Glen Stud in Waimate in 2015 and Manhattan Spector is one of 15 foals from his first crop.A son of Foo...

Welcome back Wexford

Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott are preparing to welcome 25 to 30 horses back into the stable over the coming week, following the COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand.  Wexford will look to gradually build from an initial winter team when training resumes on Tuesday as New Zealand comes out of a full Alert level 4 lockdown due to the Covid-19 outbreak. “There is a little bit of uncertainty out there, but we will bring back the horses that don’t mind getting their feet wet when they’re...