Racing: Sarrera sets sights on Kelt Stakes

Plenty of early Australian interest with 12 entries for our major weight-for-age event

There could be an international flavour to the Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings on October 3 with the Mike and Paul Moroney-trained Sarrera crossing the Tasman from his usual Melbourne base.

The Matamata branch of the partnership, Paul Moroney, expects Sarrera to arrive at his stable in the middle of next month. The rising 9-year-old last raced in the Airlines Singapore International in May, when he finished sixth.

He had a short break and has been back in light work with Mike Moroney.

"At this point it looks as though he will come over and could contest all three legs of the Triple Crown," said Paul Moroney yesterday.

The first leg of the Triple Crown, the Mudgway Partsworld Stakes, is on August 29, with the Stoney Bridge Stakes on September 19, then the Kelt.

Sarrera is a regular competitor on the weight-for-age scene in Australia and was an unlucky second to Pompeii Ruler in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick during April, a race in which he beat Nom du Jeu the year before.

He could well meet Nom du Jeu again at Hastings. The 2008 AJC Derby winner is another prominent entry for the Kelt, in which he finished third to Princess Coup and Red Ruler last year.

"If he arrives at his best he will be hard to beat," said Moroney. "He's had a few injury problems but he's now sound and can handle all sorts of going. He's a grand old campaigner and is adept in the wet."

After his New Zealand spring campaign, Sarrera will return to Melbourne.

Twelve Australian-trained horses have been nominated for New Zealand's richest weight-for-age race at $1.2 million.

As well as Sarrera, other group one winners include Gallica, Zarita and the imported English stayer Speed Gifted, now in the Lee Freedman stable.

Other Australian entries include Victoria Derby placegetter Pre Eminence, Miss Scarlatti, Arlington, Miss Maren and Rightfully Yours.

Gallica, Pre Eminence, Rightfully Yours and Miss Maren are all from Caulfield trainer Mick Price's stable.

New Zealand-trained group one performers, apart from Nom du Jeu, include AJC Oaks winner Daffodil, Boundless (fourth last year), Mufhasa, Sir Slick, Jungle Rocket, Tell A Tale, The Pooka, Prince Kaapstad and Pasta Post.

Harris Tweed, Red Ruler and Capecover are also entered.

The 56 horses entered by yesterday's closing date were Alagant Satin, All In Black, Altered Image, Arlington, Awesome Planet, Boundless, Can't Keeper Down, Capecover, Cent Per Cent, Daffodil, Dezigna, Eel Win, Fritzy Boy, Gallica, Gallions Reach, Ginga Dude, Harris Tweed, Il Quello Veloce, Izonit, Jungle Rocket, Keepitinthefamily, Le Baron, Marchelle Belle, Mill Duckie, Miss Maren, Miss Prickle, Miss Scarlatti, Mr Tipsy, Mufhasa, Nom du Jeu, Occidentalis, Off And On, Our Showboat, Pasta Post, Penrickson, Prince Kaapstad, Princess Annaliese, Propel, Red Ruler, Rendzina, Rightfully Yours, Sarrera, Shanzero, Shariat's On Fire, Sir Slick, Six O'Clock News, Speed Gifted, Sterling Prince, Tavistock, Tell A Tale, The Pooka, The Veep, Vonusti, Vosne Romanee, Wall Street, Zarita.

First withdrawals are on July 29.

- NZPA