Sense of timing about Watchmaker
Watchmaker’s odds for the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas have been slashed in the wake of his maiden success today at Riccarton.
The Waikato Stud graduate had been around the mark in his three previous appearances and the Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained 3-year-old showed his appreciation of the step up to 1400 metres with a commanding victory.
The son of Pins was at a $101 chance for next month’s Guineas and has now been trimmed down to $40.
The well-named gelding is out of the unraced O’Reilly mare Tick Tock and the family of the G1 Arrowfield Stud S. winner Sixty Seconds and her G3 Manawatu Classic-winning sister Spottswoode.
It is also the family of the two-time Group 1 winner and sire Xtravagant and Legs, who was also twice successful at the highest level.
Watchmaker was purchased by Brewers Bloodstock at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $75,000 and is raced by the Coupland and Bruford families.
Wolfy reacts well to change
A tactical change by trainer Nicky Ryan saw Tivaci’s son, Wolfy, triumph at Flemington on Saturday. Dropping back to 1200 metres with blinkers applied, the Waikato Stud-bred four-year-old stormed to victory under Ethan Brown, showcasing a powerful finish to secure his third career win.
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Frustrating runs ends in style
Slipper Island returned to winning ways at Trentham with a powerful finish over 1200 metres, ending a 17-month drought despite consistent form with seven placings. Trainer Tony Pike praised the stable favourite, describing him as “frustrating but talented.” A son of No Nay Never, he was purchased for $180,000 at Karaka.
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