Bergerson banking on System Of Play in Hawke’s Bay feature

The first day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival holds fond memories for recently crowned champion New Zealand trainer Sam Bergerson, and he is hoping to create some more when he heads to Hastings on Saturday.

Three years ago, Bergerson was just a month into his training partnership with Mark Walker, and the pair had a red-letter day on what was then Tarzino Trophy day. 

They won four races, with Bergerson claiming his first Group 1 as a trainer courtesy of Skew Wiff Tarzino Trophy (1400m).

“It was an incredible day that day … and Imperatriz won over in Australia,” Bergerson said.

The opening day of this year’s Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival will have a different look, with Saturday’s meeting being just the third at the venue since the track underwent remedial work following a slip in the first race on the second day of the carnival in 2024.

The Sir Colin Meads Trophy will be the sole stakes race on Saturday and Bergerson is hopeful unbeaten youngster System Of Play can replicate Tokyo Tycoon’s heroics in the feature event.

“He obviously has a different profile to Tokyo Tycoon, but we are certainly hoping for the same result.”

System Of Play had one start as a two-year-old where he beat last month’s Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) winner Perfect Chaos and Bergerson has been pleased with his progression into his three-year-old season. – NZ Racing Desk