James aims colt for Brisbane run

Rasteau, the $700,000 yearling by Redoute's Choice out of Gr II-winning racemare La Sizeranne, could be in line for a Brisbane campaign if he keeps progressing to Cambridge trainer Roger James' satisfaction.

The two-year-old colt shone at the Cambridge trials on Tuesday, winning a 950m juvenile heat for stable jockey Andrew Calder by 2 3/4 lengths.

''Very happy. He was quite impressive,'' James said.

''It didn't surprise me because his work leading in showed he looked quite smart. He's a lovely balanced colt with the perfect attitude. I see no problem with him going a mile in the spring either.

''I'm not getting carried away but if he happened to look above average when he stepped out on raceday, he could go to Brisbane this winter. He'll go to the races shortly.''

James, who trains in partnership with Paul Mirabelli, has a quiet weekend with only Kaatoon racing at Te Rapa and Fiorano entered for Trentham.

The stable has Gr I Queensland Oaks plans for Veronica Franco, the Gr III Eulogy Stakes winning Johar filly, who ran fourth in last month's Gr II Sir Tristram Fillies Classic.

Meanwhile, Sanjeev did his Te Rapa prospects on Saturday no harm with an encouraging trials second at Cambridge on Tuesday.

The Ngaire Fraser-trained Te Rapa track specialist takes on last year's Gr I Coolmore Classic runner-up Culminate in the $20,000 Veloce Bella 1400 on Saturday, aiming to embellish his course record of 10 starts for five wins and four placings.

Quinns Post, a three-length trial winner at Cambridge on Tuesday for trainer David Miller and jockey Michelle Wenn, will debut in a 1200m maiden race at Te Rapa.

- © Fairfax NZ News