Rogerson plans a golden summer

It's been a busy week for dual-code, dual-nation trainer Graeme Rogerson.

Cup week in Christchurch Cup is in full swing and it couldn't have started much better for Rogerson and his wife Debbie when they co-trained Katie Lee to win the $1 million 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton last Saturday.

The Pins filly is attempting to create history by backing up and winning the $300,000 1000 Guineas (1600m) on the same track tomorrow.

''She's in the top echelon of fillies that I've trained,'' Rogerson told Racing Times this week.

''It's a very big task for a horse to do what she is attempting as no horse has done it before. She's had a quiet week and will get a little break after this.''

Rogerson has plans to clean up the fillies features in the north over summer before possibly tackling Sydney in the autumn.

''She'll race in all the Group races here then I will talk it over with Patrick to see where he wants to go in Aussie.''

The stable also has Queen Sabeel in the same race tomorrow, but a wide draw has put her on the back foot.

''She's a very good little filly on the way up who will only get better as she matures. She's drawn a bad alley but I expect her to go a very good race.''

Another older mare, Cullcha, is also racing at Riccarton, perhaps on borrowed time after he fifth placing in the Listed Canterbury Breeders' Stakes (1400m) on Wednesday.

''She went just fair the other day and she is in foal to Duelled. I guess we will see.''

Before tackling tomorrow's feature, Rogerson has his harness racing co-trainers cap.

At Alexandra Park tonight, his good three-year-old filly Sixpence goes around for the second time this campaign.

She was a Gr I as a two-year-old and resumed with an easy win in Auckland a fortnight ago.

''She's drawn a bad alley but is ready to go and young Simon [Lawson, stable junior driver] is driving her. He has come ahead in leaps and bounds lately and she should get every chance.''

Rogerson wouldn't go as far as saying that Sixpence was the stable's best filly - Flying Pocketlands lays similar claims - but he does have lofty ambitions with the daughter of Holmes Hanover.

''She'll run in the fillies' Sires' Stakes heat next week at Cambridge and then push forward to the big races over Christmas,'' he said.
''She's one of the good ones, certainly a very nice filly.''

The stable also has a debutant on tonight's card, in the form of Presidential Ball filly, Lady Luck Smiles.

She has a few famous owners, including New Zealand Cup winner Monkey King's owner Robert Famularo.

''She only just qualified but has got a little bit of potential. She'll be better with racing,'' Rogerson said.

''Flem N Em is another horse on the way up racing at Auckland. He was supposed to be in a three-win race with a drop-back concession having Simon driving him, but the race didn't happen and he is in with some nice ones.''

- © Fairfax NZ News