Turbo-charged challenge for Wellington Stakes

Lord Turbo (NZ) is right on track with his preparation for the G1 New Zealand Derby.

Trainer Tony Bambry has him ready for a big effort in this Friday’s G3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki after the gelding galloped in company between races at Awapuni on the weekend.

“He had a lovely hit-out and came his last 600 metres in 34 seconds on his ear so I think he is ready to go a big one at Otaki,” said Bambry.  “I’m not sure what the weather forecast is but he copes with all surfaces so if we did get rain it wouldn’t worry him although he showed he can handle a better track when he ran fourth in the Hawkes Bay Guineas where he had no luck and got home strongly.

“He really hasn’t had the luck of the draw in either of his last two starts as he has been back on the fence and making ground late when the others had already got away on him.”

Lord Turbo (3g Perfectly Ready – Sitting On A Hill by City On A Hill) will continue his classic campaign in the LR Championship Stakes Prelude (2100m) at Ellerslie on December 15.
“It will give him a look around at Ellerslie and then he will have one more run before the Derby on March 1,” he said.  “I have no doubt he can get the Derby distance as he has horses like Auckland Cup winner Senator in his pedigree.  And he relaxes in his races which tells me he will be fine as he gets over more ground.”

Lord Turbo had won the LR Wanganui Guineas in September.  “We bred him and raced the mother Sitting On A Hill who was Group 3 placed,” Bambry recalled.  “I bought the grand-dam for $2,000 in the late 1980s – so we’ve had the breed for a while.”

Sitting On A Hill was covered by Ocean Park this year.

Lord Turbo’s sire Perfectly Ready (More Than Ready) stands at Brighthill Farm in Tauwhare for a $5,000 service fee.

Hoofnote:

Lord Turbo was sold on Thursday to race in Hong Kong and has been withdrawn from the Wellington Stakes as a condition of the sale.  “If he won, he would have gone into another bracket and the buyer would have needed a different permit,” Bambry said.  “He’s been a good horse to us, but it’s a bit like winning the Derby without having the photo.”