Top Aussie Sprinter to run at Trentham

Leading Australian sprinter Turffontein has confirmed his trip to New Zealand for the $1m Group One First Sovereign Trust Telegraph Handicap with an impressive win in a barrier trial at Cranbourne on Tuesday.

Trainer Anthony Cummings, son of legendary Australian trainer Bart Cummings, was a long way from the Victorian track yesterday (Tuesday 6 Jan) inspecting yearlings at the Gold Coast, but said race jockey Glen Boss had given an upbeat report of Turffontein’s effort over 800 metres.

"Barring any kind of mishap he will be going to New Zealand," Cummings said. Boss, who is no stranger to Trentham having ridden here several times previously, is confirmed as the rider for Turffontein.

"Glen said he trialled nicely and he was happy with him. The horse is booked to fly to New Zealand early next week.”

The $NZ1 million Telegraph Handicap (1200m) is at Trentham on January 17 and Turffontein, who will race in New Zealand as Lord Turffontein, is the second favourite on the NZ TAB at $5.50 behind Mufhasa at $4.50.

Turffontein will be Australia's only representative in the rich sprint following the withdrawals of international star Takeover Target and stakes winner Captain Bax. Wellington Racing Club CEO David Jewell said that while it was disappointing that Takeover Target is not making the trip, the Club is delighted to think that there will still be a high class Australian sprinter here to compete for a $1m against New Zealand’s best gallopers.

“It will give our trainers a good bench mark as Turffontein is a very smart sprinter, with three Group One placings in Australia.”

The winner of the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) on a wet track in June last year, Turffontein has been placed at Group One level on three occasions. Prior to his Queensland Guineas success, he finished 5-1/4 lengths third in the Doomben 10,000 with the winner Apache Cat accounting for runner-up Murtajill by 4-3/4 lengths.

In the spring Turffontein was third to Orange County in the Sir Rupert Clarke (1400m) and at his most recent start came within half a length of a Group One victory when second to Swick in the Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington on November 8.

Turffontein has earned more than $600,000 with three wins and 10 placings from 21 starts in Australia.

ENDS

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