McKee keeps watch on Melbourne form

21 October 2014

Australia was never on the radar of the top-class filly O’Marilyn, but that hasn’t stopped trainer Stephen McKee wondering what might have been.

“We didn’t think of it and maybe I should have,” the Ardmore trainer said.

O’Marilyn is a dominant $3.50 pre-post favourite for next month’s Gr.1 NZB 1000 Guineas at Riccarton and McKee doesn’t believe she would have been out of place in the corresponding event at the Melbourne spring carnival.

“It didn’t look a strong field – you never know that when you first get them back into work, but it looked a winnable race for her,” he said.

Last season’s Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes winner O’Marilyn has returned in outstanding order, as showed by her dominant first-up victory in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes when she overcame an interrupted run.

The daughter of O’Reilly further impressed when she coasted to an easy win in an open sprint heat at last week’s Te Awamutu trials to further her preparation for Monday’s Gr.3 Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa.

“She went well and I hadn’t done a lot of fast work with her since Hastings so it was a good chance to give her a day out,” McKee said.

“The Sarten is a Group Three race and it’s going to be a stronger field than the Group Ones at Christchurch.

“She’s going to have to handle all the fillies and the colts and gelding together, but the timing for Riccarton is what’s most important.”

One of the quality males that will oppose O’Marilyn in the Te Rapa feature will be her stablemate and Gr.1 Sothys NZ 2000 Guineas contender Prince Mambo.

“It might be a little bit short for him as he’s ready for a mile now,” McKee said.

His other Guineas candidate is Passing Shot and the colt is likely to go in a different direction on Saturday for the three-year-old event at Trentham over 1400 metres.

“Hopefully, the track will be good and that will top him off nicely for Christchurch,” McKee said. – NZ Racing Desk.

Oaks Day glory for Waikato Stud-bred Sulek

Waikato Stud enjoyed a special moment on Oaks Day at Flemington on Thursday, when the New Zealand-bred gelding Sulek – by Super Seth out the O’Reilly mare Tiff And Co, saluted on one of the biggest days of the racing calendar and in front of an international crowd. Bred by the farm in partnership with the Dowager Duchess of Bedford, Sulek took out the A$500,000 Cirka Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final (1600m) for the third and most lucrative win of his career.

5 November 2026

The Corner with Garry Chittick

And so, another Melbourne Cup has been run. Regretfully, Mary and I were not there. I have no idea how many we attended up until COVID, and I miss the Cup week. Victoria prides itself as the sporting capital of Australia; it may be, they certainly know how to create an event.