Kingsclere on Trentham mission before seeking another Derby scalp

Kingsclere Stables has an exciting week ahead of them, with promising mare She’s A Dealer shooting for black-type at Trentham on Sunday, while six days later the Cambridge barn will hold a strong hand in the New Zealand Derby.

Trainer Roger James had five New Zealand Derby wins to his name before Robert Wellwood joined him in partnership eight years ago, and a win in the race was high on his list.

Wellwood achieved that goal two years ago with Orchestral, and the stable is favoured to repeat the feat with another filly in this year’s HKJC World Pool-sponsored Classic.

Their exciting filly Autumn Glory currently heads the market following her runner-up performance in the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) last Saturday behind Ohope Wins, with Yulong Investments electing to bypass the Derby in favour of Australian targets with the victor.

The burgeoning thoroughbred giant has decided to remain in New Zealand with their other recent purchase, Autumn Glory, with the daughter of Ocean Park seeking to add an elite-level crown to her Group Two heroics in the Waikato Guineas (2000m) two starts back.

While looking forward to Champions Day, the stable’s immediate attention is racing this weekend, with She’s A Dealer seeking to break through for an elusive stakes win in the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on Sunday.

The daughter of Ace High has finished fourth in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) and Group 3 Aotearoa Classic (1600m) in her last two starts, and Wellwood is confident she will be able to attain black-type against her own sex this weekend. 

“We are really happy with her,” he said. “We were keen to see her go 2000m, but the Kaimai Stakes (Listed) was run on a very wet track, so we are back against mares only here. 

“A big mile at Wellington, I think, will suit, and it would be great to see her get through to win her first black-type race.”