The connections of Australian sprinter Odyssey
Moon are hoping their four-year-old can win over local studmasters at Trentham
on Saturday.
The well-related entire could earn himself permanent New Zealand residency if
he can claim Group One honours in the J. R. & N. Berkett Telegraph.
"It's been a race that has been in the back of our minds since he came back so
well and then he won the Standish," said Sydney bloodstock agent James Harron,
who manages Odyssey Moon for owner Belinda Bateman.
He was referring to the Robert Smerdon-trained four-year-old's victory in the
Gr.3 Standish Handicap at Flemington on New Year's Day.
That was the fourth career win for Odyssey Moon, who was also runner-up to
Pride Of Dubai in the Gr.1 Sires' Produce Stakes at Randwick as a two-year-old.
"The horse is obviously building a nice profile and he's by Snitzel, who is the
hottest stallion in the country at the minute so the timing was right in his
preparation to send him over," Harron said.
"If he is successful then we would be very interested in talking to any farms
in New Zealand who might be keen.
"A Group One on his CV would be great to go alongside his looks and his pedigree,
he's a lovely stallion prospect."
Harron won't be on course at Trentham on Saturday, but he will again be
attending NZ Bloodstock's National Yearling Sale.
"I'm looking forward to getting to Karaka, there's always great horses on offer
and we've had a bit of success there before," he said.
Harron's past purchases at the sale include the Group Two winners Adrift
(Zabeel) and Forever Loved (High Chaparral). – NZ Racing Desk.