Jockey James McDonald salutes the judge after his victory on Orchestral at Ellerslie Racecourse. Photo: Natasha Wood.
Orchestral had her name up in lights during the autumn in Sydney, and on Saturday she will step out on the big stage at Flemington as a key hope in the A$1 million Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).
Orchestral is set to contest Saturday’s A$1 million Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
Photo: Natasha Wood (Race Images)
The daughter of Savabeel had an incredible three-year-old campaign with highlighted victories in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) before asserting herself among the top fillies in Australasia when capturing the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.
Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood emphasised their focus on the autumn in her four-year-old year with a light spring campaign on the cards, and in her first start in Victoria on October 12 she pleased with a sixth placed finish in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).
“We were very happy, she just lacked any room or luck when we needed,” Wellwood said.
“When she did get clear air, she really rushed at the line and closed well late. Caufield was probably always going to be a hard track for her, so we’re really looking forward to seeing her at Flemington.”
Having settled well into life across the Tasman, Orchestral had an opportunity to take a look around the iconic racecourse prior to her elite-level assignment.
“She’s a pretty fit mare now, she galloped on the course proper at Flemington and had easy work, running 1.11,” Wellwood said.
“Declan Bates rode her and was very pleased with her and how she pulled up.
“She’s really thriving now, licking the bin and ticking every box you want to see ticked.”
The Empire Rose has a glowing recent history for Kiwi-bred mares and Orchestral will aim to join the likes of Icebath, Melody Belle, Shillelagh and I Am A Star as victors in Saturday’s contest, where she will be ridden by Mark Zahra.
In the early TAB New Zealand market, Orchestral is a $5 second-favourite for the Empire Rose, with fellow Savabeel mare Atishu on top at $4.50.
Closer to home on Wednesday, Wellwood will head to Te Aroha with Osteria, aiming to better a quartet of placings so far in his career in the Donaghy’s Uddermax 1200.
The Ribchester three-year-old started his career in the care of Peter and Dawn Williams and was a part of the talented Barneswood Farm-raced contingent that transferred to James and Wellwood upon their retirement.
“We were very fortunate to get the Barneswood horses from Peter and Dawn, they really liked him and he showed nice ability in the few starts they had him as a two-year-old,” Wellwood said.
“They probably had the same opinion that he was a bit green and needed a bit of ringcraft, but he’s come in lovely order.
“He’s a horse that has done a couple of things wrong, but he’s getting there and has matured a lot physically.
“Apart from a niggly wide draw (9), I really like his chances tomorrow.”
Jockey James McDonald salutes the judge after his victory on Orchestral at Ellerslie Racecourse. Photo: Natasha Wood.
