Varied lead-up options for Herbie Dyke Stakes candidates

With a six-week gap between two of the New Zealand summer’s major weight-for-age middle-distance features, trainers of leading candidates have taken a variety of approaches to their preparations.

The first of those races, the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m), was contested at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, and the second of them, the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes, is scheduled for Te Rapa on February 7.

Last year’s Herbie Dyke Stakes winner El Vencedor has been confirmed to run in the Group 3 Powerworx Taranaki Cup (1800m) at New Plymouth on January 24, while 2024 winner Legarto will use the Group 2 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on January 17 as her lead-up to the $NZ700,000 Te Rapa feature.

While neither option is ideal, they’re both considered by connections as a means to an end in having their charges at full fitness for the Herbie Dyke Stakes.

“There is a glaring gap with no similar race between the Zabeel and Herbie Dyke, so that means running at New Plymouth two weeks before Te Rapa,” El Vencedor’s trainer Stephen Marsh said.

“The timing is good and with the conditions being set weights and penalties, we know he’ll carry 59 kilos.

“There was a potential catch with New Plymouth clashing with the Karaka Millions meeting, but we’ve been lucky to engage an experienced jockey in Jonathan Riddell.”

The availability of Ryan Elliot is one factor in trainers Ken and Bev Kelso opting for the Thorndon Mile – now a handicap as opposed to its earlier weight-for-age conditions – as Legarto’s Herbie Dyke lead-up.