NZ Racing Desk reports ...

The NZ Racing Desk reports:

Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards hope to cash in on a "two for the price of one" deal with Zambezi Warrior when the three-year-old steps out at the Auckland meeting tomorrow.

The Matamata trainers have identified the League 4 Life Foundation 2100 as the ideal race to further the gelding's Gr. 1 BMW New Zealand Derby preparation.

“He's bred to stay and he certainly looks like he will,” Autridge said. “We expect a big run from him at the trip and it will also give him a look around Ellerslie.”

The lightly-raced son of Pentire and a Zabeel mare broke his maiden over 1600 metres at his third raceday start last time out at Matamata.

“We thought that win over a mile was a bonus and when he got the split he quickened quite nicely,” Autridge said.

Zambezi Warrior was narrowly beaten at his previous start at New Plymouth by Provocative, who will oppose him again at Ellerslie. They are currently at $26 and $21 respectively in the Derby market.

As long as he races up to expectations, Zambezi Warrior will make his next appearance in the Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas on February 20, while stablemate and fellow classic contender Scrutinize will sport a new look in Saturday's Gr. 2 Darci Brahma Waikato Guineas at Te Rapa.

The change has been prompted by the buffeting he copped in the Gr. 2 Great Northern Guineas on New Year's Day before he was again out of the money in the Listed Karaka 3YO Mile.

“He got checked after the jump and he's just switched off,” Autridge said. “We'll put the blinkers on him and his work at home has been as good, if not better, since we put them on.”

In other NZ Racing Desk news  - Team Te Akau are on weather watch leading up to the Group One meeting at Te Rapa on Saturday week.

They are desperate for a good surface for Xtravagant, who will run in the Gr. 1 NRM Sprint ahead of an Australian campaign.

“There looks like there could be a bit of rain around, we just don't want too much and we've got our fingers crossed for a good track,” co-trainer Stephen Autridge said.

Xtravagant was beaten into fourth last time out in the Gr. 1 Levin Classic on a Dead6 track at Trentham.

“He still ran fourth and was only beaten a bit over two lengths,” Autridge said.