Busy Week Of Mercedes Super Bonuses

Ellerslie will host the first of three Mercedes Super Bonus races to be run over the coming week. The $10,000 bonus is on offer, to eligible horses, in the Mercedes Super Bonus Juvenile 2YO 1200m, due to start at 1.00pm this Saturday.

This weekend's race sees five runners eligible for the bonus.

Korau Road (NZ) (Cape Cross x Just Cruising) won his debut at Counties RC three weeks ago. The colt was purchased by current co-trainer Trevor McKee at the Select Colts Sale for $28,000 from The Oaks

The Rogerson / Autridge-trained Pin Up Boy (NZ) (Pins x Dare To Win) ran home gamely for second in his last start at Taranaki, in the Mercedes Super Bonus Colts & Geldings Jackpot. Prior to this he finished third in his debut. The colt was purchased by Graeme Rogerson from Delahunty Farms for $65,000 at the Select Colts Sale.

Dead Rabbits (NZ) (Slavic x Blanche Amelia) was purchased at the Festival Sale by Don Dwyer from Poplar Lodge for $15,000. Dwyer also trains the gelding, who is fresh-up from a spell, after having three races in November last year. He ran second in a trial over 1000m at Cambridge last week.

Johnny Knoxville (NZ) (Dream Well x Kirkberg), a Moroney / Scott representative is having his debut. Paul Moroney purchased the gelding as a yearling at the Select Sale for $42,000 from Wellfield Thoroughbreds.

Another McKee-trained runner is Universal Charm (AUS) (Spectrum x Trinket). The gelding was purchased by McKee at the Premier Sale from Rodmor Stud who sold the horse for $54,000. Universal Charm has had one start, at Ellerslie in April, but was unable to finish in the money.

The coming week sees another two $10,000 Mercedes Super Bonus races. Foxton's Queens Birthday meeting will play host to one on Monday in the New Zealand Bloodstock Castletown Stakes, a Listed event for 2YO's. The other will be run at Te Aroha's midweek meeting next Wednesday.

For more information on the Mercedes Super Bonus Series please contact Julian Phillips at New Zealand Bloodstock on (09) 298 0055 or julianp@nzb.co.nz, or view the New Zealand Bloodstock website at www.nzb.co.nz which is updated after each race.