Navy Dreams (NZ) (Merchant Navy) all but won at stakes level last season and the in-form colt will have an opportunity to go one better at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The Barry Donoghue-prepared son of Merchant Navy will attempt to break his maiden status in the Gr.2 Timberspan Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m).
Like his young charge, Donoghue will be chasing his first victory with his main focus as a successful Ready to Run Sale vendor under his BMD Bloodstock banner, selling unraced stock out of trials and tried horses.
“I had to get a trainer’s licence to have horses at the trials and have done alright,” the former jumps jockey said.
“I got him (Navy Dreams) to trial, but the offers didn’t come, he ran second at Taupo to Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahama) and that form looks brilliant now.”
Navy Dreams’ best performance came at his final appearance as a two-year-old when he finished a close second in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa.
The Raptors Thoroughbreds-owned colt returned at Ellerslie earlier this month against older opposition to finish runner-up to Have A Crack (NZ) (Zoustar), who is unbeaten in two New Zealand starts.
“His first-up run was very good, so he deserves his chance and he’s trained on well,” Donoghue said.
He is expecting another strong performance from Navy Dreams, who will again be partnered by Masa Hashizume, to confirm his spring path toward the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).
Donoghue will also be busy with an 18-strong draft heading toward New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale off the back of selling the fifth top lot in 2024 when his Toronado colt made $625,000.
Among his consignment is Lot 70, a well-related son of Wootton Bassett, whose outstanding stud career was tragically cut short this week when he passed away due to illness at Coolmore.
“The buyers will definitely be coming to look at him, he’s a beautiful type of horse,” Donoghue said.
The colt is the first foal of the Fastnet Rock mare Raptures and the family of the multiple Group One-winners More Joyous (NZ) and Tuesday Joy (NZ).
Another form favourite in the consignment is Lot 283, a youngster by champion first season sire Hello Youmzain.
“He’s very fast and the stallion is doing a really good job, I really like this colt,” Donoghue said.
He is out of the Zabeel mare Cool Tart (NZ) (Zabeel), whose half-brother On The Rocks (NZ) (Alamosa) won the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and their dam is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel).
