It may no longer be on the big stage of Karaka Millions night, but a win in Saturday’s Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Pukekohe would mean just as much to trainer Chad Ormsby.
The Cambridge horseman is targeting the feature sprint with stable favourite Master Fay (Deep Field), who took out last year’s running on the highly anticipate meeting at Ellerslie on the eve of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales.
It was Master Fay’s second start in New Zealand following his comeback from Hong Kong, where he won his sole start for former trainer Caspar Fownes, and he has continued to be lightly raced by Ormsby, having just had the nine starts for four wins and two placings.
The now eight-year-old son of Deep Field has had a long, slow build-up this preparation, having three trials and one raceday start, winning first-up over 1200m at Ellerslie in October.
He was set to contest last month’s Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe, but Ormsby elected to withdraw his charge from the race due to the rain-affected track.
“We missed a run in the Counties Bowl. I made a bit of a blue in scratching a little bit early,” Ormsby said. “I got a little bit scared away from the wet track mid-week, but it didn’t really matter too much. It has ruined a preparation before, hence why I didn’t want to go anywhere near an off track.
“It hasn’t rocked the boat too much for his prep. He went to Ellerslie last Saturday for a gallop and worked really well and he has worked well during the week.”
While pleased with Master Fay ahead of his fresh-up run, Ormsby is still wary of his opposition, and is hopeful apprentice jockey Sam McNab can continue his 100 percent strike-rate on the gelding.
“There are still a couple of decent runners in the field that he is still going to have his A-game on. Things will need to go right for him,” Ormsby said.
“I am excited to give young Sam a shot. This horse is as good as we have got and Sam rode him exceptionally well last time, so he gets to steer him around again.”
Ormsby will also head to Ellerslie with last-start placegetter Unodostrescuatro, who will contest the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1600.
“He found a little bit of form last start at Rotorua, but Saturday is a bit different to a Wednesday at Rotorua,” Ormsby said. “He deserves a shot and I am excited to step him up over a mile.”
Looking ahead to Sunday, Ormsby will have a two-pronged attack at Te Aroha, including debutant Marcus Attillus (NZ) (Circus Maximus) in the MVS Equine Maiden 3YO (1400m) and fellow three-year-old Spiritus (NZ) (Ancient Spirit) in the Shackell Electrical Maiden 3YO (1400m).
“Marcus Attillus is a long-term project for us that we are slowly developing,” Ormsby said. “We will see him hit his straps maybe in his next preparation when he is getting up over a bit more ground.
“Spiritus is a horse we have a lot of time for and we feel this campaign he might reach as far as something like a Derby (Gr.1, 2400m).”