Racing
NZ Derby placegetter breaks duck at midweeks
Canterbury winner Golden Century is on a Metropolitan path this spring.
It is a long way from midweek company to Group One grade but that's the path former Kiwi Golden Century will attempt to follow after breaking his maiden with a stylish win at Canterbury.
Charlie Duckworth, stable representative for trainer Chris Waller, said they had earmarked the Metropolitan (2400m) as a suitable target for the gelding, who despite only getting his first success on the board in Wednesday's Schweppes Plate (1900m) had been competitive at a much higher level.
The four-year-old placed in the New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March and wasn't disgraced in the ATC Australian Derby (2400m) behind Aeliana, finishing seventh.
"Hopefully we can get him towards the Metropolitan," Duckworth said.
"It's a long way from a maiden to Group One but it is a handicap.
"He has already raced in that grade, and up in grade where there is more tempo in races will be beneficial to him."
Golden Century joined the Waller team this campaign and had placed at his first two starts for them over shorter journeys.
Duckworth expected him to continue to improve as he was stretched out in trip.
"He will take some good confidence from today's win. He stays really well, we obviously know that, it's just about ironing out any kinks he's got in his mannerisms," he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, Racing NSW stewards again adjourned an inquiry into Adam Hyeronimus' ride on eventual third placegetter Vauban in the middle stages of Saturday's Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).
Evidence was taken from Hyeronimus and co-trainer Adrian Bott at Randwick in relation to a passage approaching the 800m when Vauban's stablemate Sir Delius (Tim Clark), who went on to finish second, had been racing wide without cover before slotting in behind Robusto and in advance of Vauban.
Stewards subsequently examined betting activity and found "no concerns" but called on Clark to provide his take on Wednesday before taking further evidence from Hyeronimus.
Clark was asked if there had been any communication between the two riders during that part of the race to which Clark answered, "no", and when questioned why he twice looked over his inside shoulder he said he was checking there was room for Sir Delius to safely slot in.
Hyeronimus stated that he didn't "give my horse a dig" to get on the back of Robusto and hold out Sir Delius as he didn't feel it was in the best interests of Vauban, a stayer who was first-up and being set for the Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Technical difficulties delayed the start of the reconvened inquiry on Wednesday, prompting Racing NSW stewards to postpone the handing down of any decision until this weekend's Rosehill meeting.
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