The Collett/Hapeta stable was talked out of running Bono in Saturday's $50,000 Auckland International Airport 3YO by rider Leith Innes.
"I rode Magic Tryst in the trackwork session at Ellerslie last week and they won't beat her," Innes advised.
Bono instead lined up for half the stakemoney andwon the Tourism Auckland with remarkable ease after which Innes said he wasn't sure he'd been right.
Whether he was or not, these are two exceptionally promising young horses.
Magic Tryst was having only her seventh raceday start for trainer Craig Ritchie and has always promised so much. Ritchie has handled the speed machine carefully and should eventually reap big rewards.
The group one Railway on New Year's Day is the plan and meantime the trainer is strongly considering a one-race hit on Australia.
"It will help her grow up," he said. "There is the Queensland carnival, but it can be difficult getting back from there.
"Sydney is a better option because we can fly over on a Tuesday, race on Saturday and come back the following Tuesday. "I just have to find her a suitable race worth A$80,000 to A$100,000."
Magic Tryst's temperament is usually sound, but she can occasionally fire up, like she did when she was being replated after casting a racing plate at the start.
Farrier Kevin Crampton had problems with the filly getting the plate back on, during which she was pricked by a nail and she was also galloped on from behind when eventual third-placed Needuask got on her heels at the 750m.
In the previous race Bono produced a stunning sprint from the 350m to race clear.
Co-owner Steven Till said Bono is one of a couple of Volksraad colts Windsor Park Stud decided to keep of that year.
"His dam [Very Musical] is a close relative of Last Tycoon and probably the best-bred mare on the stud.
"We wanted to keep this horse to manage him for the broodmare's future."
Bono's win pushed the season's stakemoney tally of leading sire Volksraad past $2 million.
* * *
Finding a rider for Oaks day at Trentham on Saturday might be difficult for some.
Currently suspended for various periods, but all for next weekend are: Leith Innes, Paul Taylor, Michael Walker, Vinny Colgan, Lisa Cropp, Sam Spratt, Sean Collins and Lynsey Satherley.
