Xtravagant Back for Autumn

The Informant reports:

In a surprise move, dual Group One-winning colt Xtravagant will return to work next week with one definite local autumn target and a possible Queensland winter campaign on his agenda.

Xtravagant has been spelling at Te Akau Stud since his return from Melbourne, where he was a disappointing eighth in the Australian Guineas. He was inspected yesterday by trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards along with Te Akau principal David Ellis and after discussions it was decided to bring him back into work.

“He's thrived in the time he's had out,” Autridge told www.theinformant.co.nz. “He's put on around 30 kilos and looks fantastic.

“We had two options, to leave him out until the early winter and prepare him for the spring or bring him back now for a late season campaign.

“We decided on the latter, so he'll be back in the stable next week to be prepared for the Cambridge Breeders' Stakes in late April.

“All going well and provided we're happy with him, we'll then look at Brisbane. The two races he could run in over there are the Doomben 10,000 and the Stradbroke.”

The Gr. 3 Cambridge Breeders' Stakes is run over 1200 metres at Te Rapa on April 28, while the Doomben 10,000 is scheduled for May 28 and the Stradbroke Handicap for June 11. The headline race of the Queensland winter carnival will return to Eagle Farm this year following major track renovations.

The Doomben 10,000 is contested over 1350 metres for a stake of A$750,000, while the Stradbroke is over 1400 metres and is worth A$1.5 million.

Other discussions that took place yesterday centred on Te Akau's star two-year-old pair Heroic Valour and Sassy 'N' Smart. A start has been confirmed for Sassy 'N' Smart in the Gr. 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes on April 2, whereas a decision has been delayed for her unbeaten stablemate.

“We've put that off until next week,” said Autridge. “He's come through his Ellerslie win good as gold, but we just want to look at it from a long-term point of view and decide whether he needs another run at two.”

Thanks to Ken and Bev Voyce for their photo!