Aotea Lad Set for Exciting Eclipse Clash

The Informant reports:

After beginning his career on the perfect note at Trentham earlier this month, Aotea Lad will head to Ellerslie on New Year's Day for his next step.

The Savabeel gelding produced a remarkable performance to win the Gr. 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes in his very first start.

He is now on a collision course with highly rated Cambridge pair Whiskey Neat and Exuberant in the Gr. 3 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes. Exuberant won the Listed Wellesley Stakes in his only previous start, while Whiskey Neat scored a jaw-dropping 10-length debut victory at Otaki.

Aotea Lad's trainer Jamie Richards has been pleased with the gelding's progress since the Wakefield Challenge Stakes.

“He's going well,” he said. “He's done some work with Melody Belle this week and has done it nicely.

“We're all pleased with him. He's been up to Ellerslie and had a gallop there, and he seemed to handle it well. He seems to be on track.

“He's a very nice two-year-old, but this is going to be another step up on what he did on debut.”

To be ridden by Opie Bosson, Aotea Lad is a $4.80 third favourite. Whiskey Neat dominates the market at $1.90, with Exuberant at $4.50.