G1 Targets for 2YOs Recite and Al Strada

New Zealand�s two-year-old Group 1 races are the next logical steps for the unbeaten�Recite�and�Al Strada�who were both successful in Matamata�s juvenile stakes races on Saturday.

The talented two-year-old Recite (Darci Brahma x Chant) maintained her unbeaten status but only just after a great contest with race rival Bounding (Lonhro) in Saturday�s $100,000 Group 2 Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders� Stakes (1200m) at Matamata.

Recite will now head to the Group 1 Manawatu Sire Produce Stakes

The Oaks Stud owned filly came into the race unbeaten in two starts including the Listed Wakefield Challenge Stakes but was the punters second elect with Golden Slipper aspirant Bounding backed into favouritism.

However it was the John Bary trained Recite that took the honours, racing just off the pace under jockey Mark Du Plessis before challenging race leader Bounding 150 metres from home and edging her rival out in an exciting battle to win by a long head.

�It was an outstanding performance and a great horse race,� commented trainer John Bary.

�I have always had a very high opinion of this filly. Mentally she�s fantastic, she�s a natural two-year-old and she�s a quick filly. She always gives her best in her races and in her work at home as well.

�We have spaced her races out and I am a big fan of that so we will do the same and give her a break before heading to the Group 1 Manawatu Sire Produce Stakes. The Oaks Stud sponsors that race so it would be great to win it plus that way she stays running left handed and it also gives us a crack at the 1400 metres which I think she will handle well.�

Recite was bred and was offered by The Oaks Stud at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale. She is now unbeaten in three starts from which she has won $125,000.

Recite capped off a great weekend for her sire Darci Brahma who also saw his son Nashville win the Group 1 Haunui Farm WFA Classic in Otaki on Saturday.

Saturday�s $50,000 Listed Reid & Harrison (1980) Limited Slipper at the same meeting saw trainers Jason and Kelly Price win their first stakes race with Al Strada (Perfectly Ready x Penny Arcade).

The two-year-old had a tough run in NZB�s $1 million Karaka Million (Res.L) at his last start after drawing the widest gate but put that behind him with a bold front-running performance under jockey Reese Jones to beat race favourite Touche (Thorn Park) by three-quarters-of-a-length.

The son of Perfectly Ready won his debut at Paeroa in November last year by five-and-a-half lengths and given that Saturday�s win came at just his third start, Al Strada looks an exciting young horse.

�He is doing very well and we will look to take him to the Group 1 Diamond Stakes next up,� commented co-trainer Jason Price.

�All going well we will head to the Group 1 Manawatu Sires� Produce Stakes after that but we will get through the Diamond Stakes first before deciding whether to run him again.�

Al Strada was bred and offered for sale by Nick and Anne-Marie King�s Brighthill Farm at the 2012 Karaka Select Sale where he was purchased by his Jason and Kelly Price for $22,500. Saturday�s win has taken his stakes earnings to just over $40,000.

Al Strada is the 1st stakes winner for his sire Perfectly Ready who stands at Brighthill Farm. Perfectly Ready is the sire of other stakes placed two-year-olds including Queen Boudicca, Beejay Belle, Brackenwood, Isle be Ready and Precise.�