14 January, 2003
The first of the Kiwi raiders are safely in Melbourne
with the Tim Butt-trained Sonofthedon and Pocket Me (pictured) touching down at
Tullamarine last night.
Set to join the duo shortly is Group 1 winner
Disprove, the latest Kiwi raider to be confirmed for the 2003 Sky Channel
Nights Of Glory.
Sidelined since suffering a minor injury in the
Auckland Cup on New Years Eve, the Nicky Chilcott-trained pacer is booked to
arrive in Melbourne next Monday, 20 January.
Pleasing Chilcott with his recovery, the lightly-raced
7YO stayer will make his Australian debut in the $75,000 Cadbury Ballarat
Pacing Cup on Saturday, 25 January.
Disprove arrives in Melbourne with an impressive
record of 33 starts, 11 wins, 5 placings and Group 2 victories this season in
the Kaikoura Cup and Auckland Free For All.
Reports are that he'll be much better suited to the
Melbourne way of going than his recent appearances on the right-handed Auckland
track.
In other news from the Shaky Isles, rejuvenated veteran
Facta Non Verba is another confirmed visitor later this month.
The 'find' of the New Zealand racing season, Facta Non
Verba starred during a brief stint with Bendigo trainer Gary Donaldson during
the winter of 2001. In six Victorian appearances the now 8YO gelding was never
out of a top two placing.
Now back with original trainers Mike Berger &
Warren Rich at Morrinsville, the greybeard has excelled at the elite level this
season with placings in the New Zealand & Auckland Cups complemented by a
win in the Group 1 City Of Sails Free For All at Alexandra Park, Auckland.
His slashing second to Young Rufus in 1:54.8 at
Cambridge last Friday night was enough to convince connections he was worthy of
another trip across the Tasman.
Facta Non Verba, who'll be piloted by local champion
Chris Alford, will make his first appearance in the $25,000 Casey Classic at
Moonee Valley on 1 February where a clash with reigning Inter Dominion champion
Smooth Satin looms.
With headline act Young Rufus confirmed for the
Victoria-Hunter Cup double, other Kiwis touted as possible Cups contenders
include Rare Gem and Falcon Rise.
