Kerrific set for Hyperion Stakes

Last Saturday’s Belmont Sprint winner Kerrific is being set for another Group 3 in the Hyperion Stakes on June 15.

The Bunbury based gelding is by Blackfriars and the Scenic Lodge champion has four front-line candidates being set for the weight-for-age feature on Saturday week.

Kerrific (6g Blackfriars – Striking Zoe by Tribu) heads a quartet that also includes the millionaire brothers Playing God and God Has Spoken plus rising star Black Tycoon.

Kerrific is a tough-as-teak individual and that’s typical of the breed.  He has won 12 races and been placed 10 times in 36 starts for $461,200 in prizemoney.  The Belmont Sprint was his second black-type success following the LR Grandstand Cup at Ascot in April.

“He’s so consistent and has only missed a cheque a few times,” trainer Bruce Watkins said.  “I had been very happy with his work although the wide draw from the 1400m barrier was a worry.  It was a brilliant ride by Dan (Staeck) to get in and he was very strong at the finish.”

Watkins was ready to send Kerrific for a spell but will go ahead with a start in the Hyperion.  “He’s getting up in the ratings anyway so weight-for-age may be the way to go,” he said.  “And 1600 metres is probably a natural progression at this stage.”

Part-owner and breeder Mazzin Kaddoura has an unraced 2yo half-sister to Kerrific named Princess Yara (Husson Lightning).  Their dam Striking Zoe has a yearling colt by Blackfriars and is currently in foal to him.

Scenic Lodge general manager Jeremy Smith reports Kaddoura has already booked the mare back to Blackfriars this year.

Blackfriars (Danehill) has sired 63 winners of 96 races in Australia this season for $3.31 million prizemoney.  And the Hyperion purse of $125,000 would be the icing on the cake for a hat-trick of Sunspeed titles.

Scenic Lodge has priced Blackfriars at a $20,000 (plus gst) service fee this year.  Associate sire Universal Ruler (Scenic) will stand for $3,500 (plus gst).  Broodmare owners can call Smith for further details on (08) 9571 0155.

– Karl Patterson