Flight Delay No Problem

www.heraldsun.com.au reports:

KIWI trainer Steve Autridge is confident his star galloper Xtravagant's delayed arrival to Melbourne won't affect the raging favourite's chances in the Australian Guineas.

For a brief period of time, Autridge was concerned about Xtravagant even getting to Melbourne. He was due to leave New Zealand at Auckland at 4pm Wednesday but that flight was cancelled.

Instead, Xtravagant is scheduled to leave New Zealand at 2am Thursday and arrive in Melbourne at 9am. Autridge said the delay won't make any difference to Xtravagant.

“He's done all of his work and he's spot on,” said Autridge, who is already in Melbourne. “Instead of being on a flight he had a swim and a walk around. He's been bucking and kicking so he's pretty happy.

“The only difference is that he gets here a bit later. If he travels as well as he usually does then I won't have a concern.”

Autridge flew to Melbourne on Wednesday morning to await Xtravagant's arrival at Leon and Troy Cortsen's Melbourne stables.

“To be honest, I'm only just starting to appreciate his barrier with the problems about him getting here but now I have it's perfect,” he said. “He jumps very good and he'll lead for a bit. If anything wants to go on then he'll take a sit.”

Autrtidge said Xtravagant's jockey Matt Cameron, who hasn't ridden at Flemington. will arrive on Friday and walk the Flemington track with former champion jockey Brent Thomson.

Pat Hyland's smart three-year-old colt Lizard Island will miss the Australian Guineas after suffering a tendon injury. Hyland said Lizard Island would be out for six to 12 months.

Gai Waterhouse is also hoping for history to repeat as she has booked Hong Kong jockey Brett Prebble to ride River Wild. The pair combined to win last year's Australian Guineas with Wandjina.

 

www.sportingnews.com reports:

 

New Zealand trainer Stephen Autridge's mood brightened significantly when he learned Australian Guineas favourite Xtravagant was booked on a flight to Melbourne on Thursday.

A plane cancellation threw a scare into the Xtravagant camp on Wednesday morning before owners Te Akau Racing were able to organise the redirection of a New Zealand flight to Singapore to stop in Melbourne.

The new arrangements mean Xtravagant will make to Melbourne Airport on Thursday afternoon before he makes the short float trip to the Flemington stables of trainers Leon and Troy Corstens.

"The last three or four hours haven't been too good but it's all changed now,” a relieved Autridge said.

"He's on a flight and all's well that ends well.”

Autridge said the delay would not trouble Xtravagant, who is as short as $3.40 in Australian Guineas betting, because the horse was in terrific shape at his stable.

"The reports are that the horse is bucking and kicking at home and the little bit of extra time there will be no problem,” Autridge said.

"It all comes down to how he travels but he's done a heap of travelling around New Zealand and he copes with that in his stride.

"At the moment, he's home in his box enjoying life. Once he gets on that plane, it should be pretty plain sailing.”

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