Stable plotting Derby coup with maiden

23 February 2016

Splendido’s connections have designs on making the three-year-old O’Reilly gelding’s first victory a memorable one.

He has yet to break his duck in seven starts this season, but he is a stakes performer and will be making his second appearance at the elite level when he takes his place in the BMW New Zealand Derby on Saturday week.

“He’s perfect, right on target,” said trainer Bruce Wallace’s foreman Allan Peard.

Runner-up in the Listed BMW Salver, Splendido was then sixth when beaten four lengths by Kawi in the Zabeel Classic and he has finished runner-up at his last two outings.

“He was three wide the whole trip without cover last Saturday and only just got run down and his worst performance was in the Group One,” Peard said.

Currently a $31 hope in the Derby market, Splendido is raced by Wallace with Mark Wyborn, who is also a part-owner of the $8 chance Provocative.

– NZ Racing Desk.

Saltcoats strikes stakes Gold at Wyong

Saltcoats added another line of black type to his record on Friday, 5 September stamping his class with victory in the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m). The talented son of Ardrossan had signalled his intent …

5 September 2025

Street Artist returns with five-length statement

Super Seth’s son Street Artist returned in style at Mornington, dominating the 1000m dash under Mark Zahra. Bred by Waikato Stud, he looks a colt with plenty more to give.