Karaka graduate Wall Street is a likely starter in the MVRC Cox Plate following his victory in the G1 Kit Ormond Memorial Spring Classic (2040m) at Hastings on Saturday.
Trainer Jeff Lynds confirmed Wall Street’s participation in the Moonee Valley feature after the gelding’s outstanding win at his first attempt beyond a mile. “Now we are going to try to climb Everest,” Lynds said. “After today’s win we have to have a crack at the Cox Plate. It will be a tough race but they are there to be knocked off.”
Wall Street (6g Montjeu – Villa Wanda by Grand Lodge) travelled beautifully behind race leader Bruce Almighty before jockey Michael Coleman sent him to a winning lead in the straight. The gelding looked vulnerable when Keep the Peace (Keeper) and Ginga Dude (Isitdaad) emerged from the pack but he kept finding to score by three-quarters-of-a-length.
Wall Street was a $100,000 buy at the 2006 NZ Bloodstock Karaka Premier yearling sale. He has now won 10 races in 17 starts and banked over $691,000 for connections.
The final day of the Hawke’s Bay carnival also saw Jimmy Choux (Thorn Park) win the G2 NZ Bloodstock Insurance Hawke’s Bay Guineas from Icepin (Pins) and pacemaker Maradona (Mr. Nancho).
Jimmy Choux is trained locally by John Bary for Chouxmaani Investments. Bary indicated the colt may head to Australia but his main target is the NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton in November.
Champion filly Katie Lee returned to the form that saw her win last season’s NZ Bloodstock’s Filly of the Year Series with a stunning victory in the G3 Traderacks Stakes.
Katie Lee (Pins) settled at the back of the field but she unleashed an unbelievable turn off foot under James McDonald to nail Alagant Satin (Al Akbar) by a nose.
Katie Lee is trained by Graeme Rogerson for Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan. She completed the NZ 1000 and 2000 Guineas double last year and has now won eight races and over $1.09 million in prizemoney. She was a $340,000 buy out of the 2008 NZ Bloodstock Karaka Premier yearling sale.