National champion trainer Sean Tarry has a runner in both the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000, Warrior’s Rest and Chariot Of Gold respectively but said they were facing tough fields and it would be hard to have confidence.
“We’re going in hoping for the best,” he said.
Warrior’s Rest, a big colt by What A Winter, impressed more than once as a two-year-old, including when finishing a 0,6 length third in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600 at Greyville on Gold Cup day.
Sean Tarry
Tarry said, “He missed his intended second run which is not ideal but we seem to have him fit enough and he had his final gallop today (Tuesday).”
He was laid off for six months between October last year and April this year and Tarry explained, “He went unsound, but we have him sound now and I’m happy with him. He proved himself against the best last season but he hasn’t been able to have the exposure against the best three-year-olds this season. He is a big horse with a big stride and the way he races it would appear he could stay the 2000m trip, even though on pedigree there would be a doubt.”
In the Premier’s last year he led before staying on well, but Tarry said it would be unlikely he would lead this time running over 2000m for the first time.
Warrior’s Rest is by the Equus Champion Sprinter What A Winter. However, he is out of a Badger Land mare who won a Listed race over 2000m, so there is hope, even on pedigree, he will stay the trip.
The Silvano filly Chariot Of Gold will have no problem at all staying the trip. She won the Listed Oaks Trial over 2000m and followed up by finishing third in the Wilgerbosdrift Grade 2 SA Oaks over 2450m.
Tarry said, “She took her race in the Oaks very well. Oh Susanna is impossible to beat but if you’re not in the race you will never know.”
The pair will travel down to KZN on Friday.
Shenanigans will also be travelling down to run in the Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m.
Tarry said, “He is a nice horse and the step up in trip might help.”
Tarry also has the old soldier Hyaku in the Lonsdale, in which he finished fourth last year. The six-year-old Admire Main gelding has lived in KZN for the last couple of seasons and is being prepared by Tarry’s new Summerveld satellite yard assistant trainer Lorenzo Karriem.
Meanwhile, Legal Eagle has been sent to the farm for a layoff and will be brought back next season to prepare for his bid to equal Pocket Power’s four L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate victories in succession.
By David Thiselton
