Bachelor Duke updates for NZB Ready to Run Sale

Kevin Myers was at it again at Riccarton on Saturday with another successful feature race raid that had an experienced and respected horseman shaking his head in admiration.

The Wanganui trainer had set Spring Cheer (NZ) on a path toward the G3 New Zealand Cup months ago and The Oaks Stud homebred duly won out in the 3200 metre feature.  “I can’t believe how good a trainer he is,” The Oaks manager Rick Williams said.  “It’s huge for me and Dick Karreman – he puts all the money in and I’m just the guy who runs the orchestra.”

The other major player in Christchurch result was the trainer’s niece Rosie Myers.  She got Spring Cheer moving across the top at Riccarton to outstay front-runner Go Joeli (Brilliance) by a long head.   “That was outstanding and full credit to Uncle Kevin, who targeted this race a long time ago,” Myers said.  “I was a bit handier than expected and, when I let her out, she cruised around them.”

Spring Cheer (4m Bachelor Duke – Guardian Angel by Groom Dancer) followed Bachelor Duke gelding Southern General who scored an eye-catching victory in Singapore on Friday night.  The (NZ) bred three year-old produced a withering finish to win over 1100 metres at Kranji.

Southern General (3g Bachelor Duke – Harmonica by Blues Traveller) was a $20,000 buy for trainer Leslie Khoo at the 2013 NZB Ready To Run Sale.

Bachelor Duke originally shuttled from Ballylinch Stud to The Oaks after winning the 2004 Irish 2000 Guineas from Azamour and Grey Swallow.  A son of Miswaki, he was New Zealand’s leading first and second-season sire in 2008 and 2009.

The Oaks stands Bachelor Duke for $8,800 (inc gst).  He has 8 lots catalogued for this week’s NZB Ready To Run Sale and The Oaks has entered two colts – Lot 215 ex Shinko Forest (Shinko Forest) and Lot 430 ex Euphony (Commander in Chief).