Bryce Newman was in familiar territory when he scored a one-two at Wanganui on Monday, but a up-to-date challenge now looms for the Bulls trainer as he prepares Abbakiss for Saturday's $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). .
For Newman, an stimulating week began as he had hoped, with Uncle Arch and Blue Jeanie achieving maiden status in their respective competitions.
Uncle Arch (Fresh Zealand) (Tivaci) was equal favorite for the Terry Brothers MDN (1600m), a contest that was quickly turned on its head when pacesetter Deciphering Me edged out jockey Marc Lerner in the 1200m. That left the son of Tivaci in the lead under Kavish Chowdhoory, who let him push well into the straight and gain a lead to gain a lead.
“There was obviously an incident in the race, but he did well to carry on while he was left there alone for a while,” Newman said.
“He is a progressive type of horse, we probably see him as a standing horse until next season. It was good to see he had a chance and I think there’s still a lot left for him in this preseason.”
His stablemate Blue Jeanie (Fresh Zealand) (Satono Aladdin) was rated at $21 chance in the Shrewd Naturals 2040, but she trailed her rivals after making the perfect run in transit in the hands of Chowdhoory. The Satono-Aladdin mare prevailed in midfield, saved a lot of ground on the inside turn towards the gate and fended off the ball, so that the lead in the end was almost four lengths.
“That was super gratifying,” he said. “She hasn't had many starts and the first couple wasn't particularly inspiring, but we've had this family for a long time and it's about fourth generation so we know they need some time.
“Although it was lovely to watch her, I think the second place a few weeks ago showed that she has found her form and is doing what the family does.
“Both horses come from our own breeding, which is always very nice.”
Abbakiss (inside) will compete in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) in Ellerslie on Saturday.
Photo: Peter Rubery (Palmerston North Racing Images)
While Newman has had much success with his home-bred gallopers, it will be a filly he purchased at the Fresh Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale last year Abbakiss (microphone) who will take on the multi-million pound gig at Ellerslie later this week.
The Microphone daughter was purchased by Newmans Raumai Bloodstock for $60,000 from the Carlaw Park draft and recorded one win and three placings in her four race starts as a juvenile.
After her first success at Tauherenikau last November, Newman had begun to think about entering the Karaka Millions, a hope that became a reality when Abbakiss narrowly lost in the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) earlier this month, won by To Cap became everything.
“It's always in the back of your mind, it's pretty stimulating to take part in a race like that, but we've said all along it wasn't the be-all and end-all, she's a lovely mare we think she is “Keep training,” he said.
“After the run in Wellington, where she was caught in threes without cover and had the tenacity to go down with such a tiny lead, that gave us the confidence to go for it in Auckland.
“That's what you always hope for, we race a lot of home-bred stallions and only buy one or two a year, but when Michelle and I saw this filly at the sale we fell in love with her straight away. Our son Jack is a substantial fan of pedigrees and he gave her the preference, saying she would be leaving pretty early. So it was nice that she fit into our budget and we could afford a filly of her quality.
“She moved north this week and has settled happily in Cambridge with Chad Ormsby. We’re just content to be in Karaka and have a horse good enough to represent us in a race like this.”
As a former top eventer in Fresh Zealand and abroad, Newman knows a thing or two about high-pressure sports, but he said the two environments were complex to compare.
“It’s completely different,” he said. “At the beginning (of training), I found that the hardest part was handing a horse over to someone else because when I was riding I always felt like I could ride well under pressure, even though these guys are professionals and do it Day after day.
“In a previous life I would have liked to be a jockey myself and I still ride a lot of horses every day at home.
“I find that with expectations you put a little bit of pressure on yourself and I think I would be less nervous if I was driving myself, but we're just going to go up there and enjoy it, what will be will be.” That Syndicate is really looking forward to Saturday night.”
