Well-related Ruakaka maiden winner McCartney might find herself in stakes company if she’s not sold beforehand.
Trained by Team Rogerson, she is a half-sister by Alamosa to the stable’s former dual Group Two winner and Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) placegetter Serena Miss.
“McCartney has taken a little while to mature, but I think she’s very good,” Graeme Rogerson said. “All she’s needed was a good track.”
The three-year-old will go to auction at the Gold Coast later this month.
“If she doesn’t sell then I might run her in the Guineas at the Sunshine Coast,” Rogerson said.
McCartney showed her appreciation of the better track at Ruakaka on Wednesday to open her winning account with ease over a mile.
Malambo, a multiple-winning three-year-old by Duelled, is also headed for sale at Queensland as is La Achiever, a winning High Chaparral mare.
Malambo will step out in the Distinction Hamilton Hotel 1200m at Te Rapa on Saturday en route to Australia.
La Achiever finished strongly for second at Ruakaka over 2100m and Rogerson believes the best is yet to come from the mare.
“She flew home and she’s a really good stayer in the making,” he said.
The final member of the team headed for the Gold Coast sale is Santuzza, the winner of two of her five starts and third in last season’s Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
“She injured a leg while she was out spelling,” Rogerson said. “She’s the fastest Savabeel I’ve ever had.” – NZ Racing Desk.
Photo by: Race Images Kenton Wright
