By Mike Dillon
Cronus was flown home from Melbourne last night after being selected to represent New Zealand in the $HK7 million Hong Kong Vase (2400m) on December 12.
Trainer Roger James was aiming Cronus at Saturday's $A500,000 Sandown Classic, but yesterday afternoon made urgent arrangements to put the horse on a midnight flight when he heard he had been selected.
"I'd much rather prepare him specifically for the Hong Kong race," he said at the Avondale races after getting the good news.
Aerosmith, who will run in the Sandown Classic, is New Zealand's first emergency in the Vase.
Sunline was a natural to make the field for the $HK10 million ($NZ1.8 million) Hong Cup (2000m) while Bawalaksana got the one spot for the Hong Kong Sprint (1000m) ahead of Te Akau Dancer. Rebel will represent the country in the Mile with Des's Dream the emergency.
Cox Plate winning rider Greg Childs is almost certain to retain the Sunline ride in Hong Kong.
Co-owner and trainer Trevor McKee said at Avondale yesterday he was "ninety per cent sure" Greg Childs will be engaged ahead of Sydney rider Larry Cassidy.
McKee has also to confirm whether Sunline will have a race at Counties on her way to Hong Kong.
* * *
There is no longer road than from a mid-week maiden to the Derby, but Moira Murdoch has not ruled the possibility out for impressive Avondale winner Zespri Gold.
With her usual realism, Murdoch said: "We'll just take it one race at a time, but it is not impossible."
"Perhaps the Oaks may be better time wise," chimed in owner David Spencer, who passed Zespri Gold in at $75,000 at the yearling sales.
"Her mother Golden Fuego was a good mare who finished second in the Oaks, so being by Last Tycoon we thought she was worth $100,000.
"Gai Waterhouse was the last bidder when she was passed in and tried to buy her later, but we ended up retaining her."
Zespri Gold looks a class stayer in the making. Rider Reese Jones has no doubt the filly will manage the 2400m of the Oaks and Derby.
"She'll run two miles. She does absolutely nothing early but, boy, she explodes when she goes."
Murdoch said she will aim Zespri Gold at the Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie on November 27.
Racing: Cronus selected for HK Vase
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.