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Bulgari to answer important question at Ellerslie
Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • February 19th, 2026 4:15 pm
Bulgari will contest the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Bulgari will be asked an important question this weekend, and many are interested in the answer.
The three-year-old colt is high on the short list for several $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) slot holders, but they are waiting to see the outcome of Saturday’s Gr.3 Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) before pulling the trigger, with the son of Hello Youmzain unplaced in his three prior starts over the distance.
He impressed when runner-up behind NZB Kiwi contender and Saturday race-rival Belle Cheval when dropping back to 1200m in last month’s Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy at Ellerslie, and while trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley believe he is a true sprinter, they are willing to test his talent over 1400m once more in a bid to gain an NZB Kiwi berth.
“I am looking forward to a bold showing on Saturday,” Darryn Weatherley said. “He is still in the mix for a slot if he gets the 1400m.
“Briar and I have always had the opinion that being by Hello Youmzain he is a 1200m horse. I am hoping that he can get the 1400m on Saturday and that Michael (McNab, jockey) can get a nice run in transit and just hold him up for that last run.
“This will be the line in the sand for us. If he happened to be very competitive on Saturday and look like the 1500m isn’t out of reach, I wouldn’t be against sending him for a crack at Well Written again.
“There are a few (NZB Kiwi slot holders) sitting on the fence waiting to see what unfolds, so we will just have to wait and see.”
The Weatherleys will also head to Ellerslie with Group One winner Pier, with the homebred six-year-old set to contest the Gr.1 Sport Nation Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m) following his fresh-up fifth placing in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa a fortnight ago.
“He was a bit outpaced early (at Te Rapa) and Sam (Weatherley, jockey) said he wasn’t really travelling like he thought he might,” Weatherley said. “He set him alight early and tried to get him away from the kickback of the sand.
“I know Maria Farina, his half-sister, had a couple of runs at Te Rapa and didn’t really like the track. One time she ran last there and then came out at her next start and won. I am kind of hoping that what Sam was saying had a little to do with the kickback.”
Weatherley has been pleased with the way Pier has trained on and he is looking forward to his charge reuniting with returning jockey Michael McNab, who replaces Darryn Weatherley’s son Sam, who is currently suspended.
“He has come through his fresh-up run at Te Rapa well. He has a two week turn around, I normally leave him three weeks, but it is what it is,” Weatherley said.
“He only galloped once this week, which was on Wednesday where he worked up the back straight with Bulgari and they both worked really well. I am happy with the way he is progressing.
“Michael knows the horse well, he won the Hawke’s Bay Guineas and the 2000 Guineas on him. He is a two-time champion jockey and he knows the horse. Michael won’t want to just turn up to go around to get fit, he will want to make a statement first day.”
Pier will jump from the outside barrier in the 11-horse field, and Weatherley said he will leave the riding tactics up to McNab.
“He has got a bit of a sticky gate on Saturday,” Weatherley said. “I will leave that up to Michael, he can decide after a couple of hundred metres how quick they are going and whether he wants to slot in or press forward.”
Pier performed with distinction in Australia last year, and a return trip across the Tasman could be on the cards if he performs well this weekend.
“He would really need to step up and win on Saturday to consider going back to Aussie for the autumn carnival,” Weatherley said. “It is still on the cards that he could get to Brisbane in the winter.
“We are just hoping for a competitive run on Saturday and then we will know more.”
Looking ahead to Sunday, the Matamata barn will trek south to Taupo where they will line-up two runners, including Arundel Castle in the Fiber Fresh (1800m).
“I have been looking forward to stepping him up over ground,” Weatherley said. “The 1800m is a nice stepping stone.
“We are hoping for an improved performance, his work has been sound.
“He has been off the winners’ list for quite some time, but I feel the Taupo track with the pumicy surface might suit him, getting a toe in the ground without being too firm.
“With the three kilos that Sam McNab (apprentice jockey) takes off, I am looking forward to seeing how he does go over a little bit further.”
The stable will also line-up last start placegetter La Danza in the Redline Transportable Homes (1800m).
“La Danza’s last run at Tauranga was really good,” Weatherley said. “We put her out for a week just to freshen her up again. Tayla Mitchell (apprentice jockey) takes a kilo off.
“She is going to be a nice staying prospect for the future.”
