Smart Field For The Rich Mercedes Colts & Geldings Prelude

Saturday's $150,000 Mercedes Super Bonus Prelude at Manawatu has attracted a small but quality field of 2YO Colts and Geldings for the 1100m dash.

Trainer Mark Walker looks to have a strong hand in the race with his stable represented by the unbeaten youngsters Maroofity (Maroof x Howkudai) and King's Chapel (King of Kings x Lower Chapel). The two horses have already picked up two bonuses between them, with Maroofity the winner of a $10,000 bonus race, as well as the Listed Ford Welcome Stakes, while King's Chapel scored a very handsome $50,000 Mercedes Jackpot bonus in his impressive recent debut at Avondale on Cup Day.

Challenging the Mark Walker pair will be the Graeme and Debbie Sanders' trained Romar Dale (Armidale x Rose of Belldale), a very smart winner of three races, while the Moroney/Scott team will line up Ubiquitous (Tale of the Cat x Zahra) whose only race day start saw him finish second to King's Chapel. The way this stable has been firing recently Ubiquitous will more than likely enjoy plenty of support on race day.

The remaining runners are the debutants Local Hero (Bahhare x Xzanadu Lady) and Call My Bluff (Senor Pete x Tough Call), the place-getter Sir Ronald (Centaine x Sierra Susie), the improving South Islander Coup Timaru (Volksraad x Mandate) and the strikingly named Wholetthedogsout (Tale of the Cat x Sustound).

The Mercedes Colts and Geldings Prelude is the second equal richest race for 2YOs, along with the Fillies equivalent which is run at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. The highlight of the Mercedes Super Bonus Series is the very lucrative $500,000 Mercedes Classique for 2YOs, in which the best of the colts, geldings and fillies clash at Te Rapa on February 1.

The Mercedes Super Bonus Series aims to encourage and reward New Zealanders that own and race 2YOs and is open to all enrolled graduates of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series. With over $1 million up for grabs over the racing season it makes sense to enroll a yearling purchase for the chance to share in the rich rewards.

For more information on the Super Bonus Series please contact Guy Mulcaster at New Zealand Bloodstock on (09) 298 0055 or email guy@nzb.co.nz.

To request a sales catalogue for the upcoming National Yearling Sales Series from January 27 – February 4 contact New Zealand Bloodstock on (09) 298 0055 or email recp.@nzb.co.nz.