Class New Zealand two-year-old filly Wolverine will head back to Roydon Bergerson‘s Awapuni stable on Tuesday as she prepares for a tilt at the Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on her home turf on April 2.
Wolverine has spent the last two weeks at part owner Chris Rutten‘s property taking some time out after finishing a brave second to Dynastic in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 22.
Bergerson is excited about having the daughter of Tivaci back in work after receiving a glowing report from Rutten regarding her time out in the spelling paddock.
“I was speaking with Chris and he said she was well and truly ready to come back to the stable,” Bergerson said.
“He said she has thrived over the two weeks and was now starting to kick out and mess around and needs to be back in work.
“She is a pretty tough customer and I would expect her to have strengthened up further with the time off, so she is going to be a handful for her rivals when she gets back to the track.”
Bergerson is confident he can get her to the Sires’ Produce Stakes without a run on raceday.
“She is naturally fit and won’t have lost too much during the time away,” he said.
“At this stage she will probably have a trial somewhere and an exhibition gallop as well, then go straight into the Group One from there.
“I expect her to be very competitive, especially as she won’t have to travel like we did when taking them on at Ellerslie.”
Meanwhile Group 1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) candidate Nest Egg will have his next start in a rating 74 1550m contest at Awapuni this Friday, after missing a race when the Taranaki meeting last Saturday was abandoned.
“It’s not ideal regarding what happened at New Plymouth, but those are the cards we have been dealt so we just have to move on from here,” Bergerson said.
“He can go around at home this Friday and then probably we will take him to the Avondale Guineas (Group 2, 2100m) a week later.
“The best part about having a start at home is that he will be back in his box ten minutes after the race, which is a big help.
“He is still on target for the Derby, although we will learn a bit more about him this week if the tracks stay wet.
“I think he is best on good ground, but the way the weather can be at this time of the year, you never know we might strike a wet track on Derby day.
“What I am confident of is that he will get the 2400m.”
Bookmakers currently have Nest Egg at a +1500 quote for the New Zealand Derby, with The Perfect Pink the current Fixed Odds favourite at +300.
Bergerson also advised that promising three-year-old Reign It In will also return to work this week as he gets set to try and gain a start in the Group 1 Wellington Seamarket Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham on March 19.