One of the most talked about Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) candidates faces his first acid test over a staying distance when he tackles the Listed Trackside Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie on Sunday,
The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Yamato Satona (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) set tongues wagging with an incredible win on debut over 1400m at Rotorua back in October, where he came from near last on the home turn to gather in the front runners in the shadows of the winning post.
O’Sullivan and Scott indicated then that the son of Satono Aladdin would be a much better horse as he stepped up in distance and while he has battled to add a second win to his record in three subsequent starts, his performances have held plenty of merit with a view to his Derby prospects.
Owned by harness racing legend Barry Purdon and his wife Katrina along with former Entain Australia boss, Dean Shannon, Yamato Satona sits at a Fixed Odds quote of $21 for the New Zealand Derby, with O’Sullivan believing that is a fair price on what he has delivered to date.
“It looks like being a very even Derby field this year and we think our guy is right in the mix,” O’Sullivan said.
“He has shown he is looking for ground since that first win, which is the indication those who have ridden him have all given, so he gets his chance this weekend.
“His work has been very good and as long as he performs to expectations he will head to the Avondale Guineas (Gr.2, 2100m) in late February then two weeks later into the Derby.”
The O’Sullivan and Scott partnership also have Acer and Genki in the Gingernuts Salver, with O’Sullivan taking a pragmatic approach to their prospects as they look to the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and New Zealand Derby respectively.
“Acer will have the blinkers on for the first time on Sunday,” he said.
“She is entered for the New Zealand Oaks and while she hasn’t shown enough so far to go there, it is this time of the year where the potential stayers start to emerge.
“You are only three once to have a go at those Group One races so we are rolling the dice with her and Genki (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who is in the same boat with his Derby prospects.”
Another stable runner O’Sullivan is keen on is maiden O’Hello (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) who steps out for his second start on Sunday after finishing fourth on debut at the venue on 29 November.
“O’Hello was very good first up and his work since has been excellent.
“He trialled well before that debut run, has taken plenty of benefit from it and I can’t fault him.
“He looks as though he can be a maiden winner at short notice and then we can see what options there are for him.”