Kingsguard Makes NZ Return

The Informant reports:

Saturday's $35,000 Electrolux Sprint at Ellerslie marks the return to New Zealand of well-performed galloper Kingsguard.

Carrying the colours of co-breeders and part-owners Windsor Park Stud, the son of Rip Van Winkle began his career under the name His Majesty.

He placed in three of his six starts here, including a close second to Xtravagant in a race at Ellerslie on Boxing Day that is now the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes. He was also fifth behind subsequent Group One winner Valley Girl in a race on the Karaka Million programme.

Transferred into the Hawkes stable in New South Wales, Kingsguard won five races including the Gr. 3 Hawkesbury Cup. He also placed in the Gr. 2 Shannon Stakes in Sydney, plus the Listed Rowley Mile and Scone Cup.

Kingsguard's last start was an unplaced finish in the Gr. 3 Festival Stakes at Rosehill in December, and he has since been transferred into the Matamata stable of Jamie Richards. He has had two trials, at Rotorua on March 5 and Matamata two weeks later.

“He's certainly an interesting newcomer to the stable,” Richards told The Informant. “He's an older horse who's come to us after some strong performances in Australia. We've given him a couple of quiet trials.

“The reports from the team have suggested that he's a better horse right-handed, so this race at Ellerslie is a nice place to start him out.

“We're looking forward to getting him to the races and seeing how he goes. Nik Bakar will take the ride.”

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