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Sport Nation
Mehzebeen back in her happy place
Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • April 24th, 2025 11:30 am
Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
Mehzebeen’s Australian campaign may have not gone to script, but she is back in her happy place in New Zealand where she will be out to continue her good run of form at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The daughter of Almanzor had an unsuccessful two-run campaign in Victoria following her victories in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) and Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton in November, but returned to form in her New Zealand resumption, placing in the New Zealand St Leger (2500m) last month.
She followed that with victory in the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) a fortnight ago and will be looking to double-up in Saturday’s Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m).
“It just never worked out in Aussie for whatever reason,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains the five-year-old mare in partnership with Mark Walker. “It was good to see her bounce back into form like that and we have kept her nice and fresh.
“Back to 2000m is the query, she has shown really good staying prowess, but she has won a Taupo Cup over 2000m.
“She gets in well under the weight-for-age fillies and mares (conditions) and her work on the course proper (on Wednesday) was good. I am happy to have George (Rooke) aboard, who is riding really well, and barrier one is certainly a big plus.”
Earlier on the Te Rapa card, stablemate Celestial Wonder will be seeking her first stakes scalp in the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
The three-year-old daughter of Xtravagant was runner-up in the Listed The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui last November and underwent a wind operation following that run.
She returned in pleasing fashion at Te Rapa a fortnight ago where she was runner-up over 1200m to Group Two performer Midnight Edition, much to the relief of her connections.
“She had a bit of a wind tidy up after Wanganui. She had a layoff and you never know whether it has worked or not until you get to the races a lot of the time,” Bergerson said.
“I am really pleased with her effort first-up, she just got pipped late and probably blew out that last little bit. She will take good improvement from it.
“She is lightly raced and has never finished further back than second. She has got it all ahead of her.”
While confident in his filly’s ability, Bergerson is wary of Saturday’s quality line-up.
“It has come up a very hot race,” he said. “It is a good field, but we are pleased that we have got a nice enough barrier draw (6) where she can be positive.
“I think there will be a few that want to lead but she should hopefully get a nice run in transit, and I am confident that she can run well again.
“We have put the visor blinkers on. She likes to have a good look around at times so we think that can sharpen her up a bit.”
Further south on Saturday, Te Akau Racing will also have two stakes contenders at Riccarton, with Dream Of The Moon and Donna Chiara contesting the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m).
Dream Of The Moon was a dominant victor of the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at the Christchurch track a fortnight ago, and Bergerson said he has received positive reports from assistant trainer Hunter Durrant in the lead-up to Saturday.
While he shares punters confidence in his charge, with Dream Of The Moon currently sitting atop the TAB market at $3.50, Bergerson shared concerns over the recent weather bomb that has hit the city and the step up to 2000m.
“She has come through the race really well, Hunter and the team are really pleased with how she has bounced through it,” Bergerson said.
“The query is the weather. It has gone really nasty down there and they are probably going to be running on a Heavy track.
“Up to 2000m makes it quite testing, which is the worry. Off her last start win it looks like she will get 2000m and if she is going to get it, it is going to be against her own age and sex. If she cops the track, we think she is a very good chance.
“It is a race that is even on paper. There were a couple of unlucky runners in behind her that are suited up to the 2000m, but we are really pleased with her, and I am sure she will put in a really good effort following on from her last start win.”
She will be met in the race by stablemate Donna Chiara, who ran third behind Dream Of The Moon in the NZB Airfreight Stakes.
“I was really pleased with her from an awful barrier. Joe (Doyle) gave her a lovely run and we were pleased to get black-type there and we would love some more on Saturday,” Bergerson said.
“We think she will get through a heavy track, but in saying that, her form on it has been a bit muddling.
“Being out of a Zabeel mare, we think up to 2000m really suits her. She has drawn barrier three, and whether that is an advantage or disadvantage by that stage of the day we won’t be sure until raceday.”
Across the Tasman, Te Akau will be shooting for stakes glory at Flemington on ANZAC Day, with West Indies lining up in the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m).
“He has gone two really good races (third) this time around,” Bergerson said. “Just talking with Mark, it looks a really nice race for him on paper. It hasn’t come up an overly strong race and Blake Shinn aboard is a big plus.
“He is an out-and-out stayer, and he should love the trip. John Galvin (Fortuna Syndicate director) is heading over and he is excited about Leaderboard at Warrnambool next week.
“It would be a fantastic way to start off his trip over there. They are confident he is going to run well and will relish the trip.”
On Sunday, Te Akau will have eight runners at Wanganui, and Bergerson is particularly excited about the prospects of Charmrose in the Kevin Myers Stables 1200.
“If she were to take her place at Wanganui, we think she will be a strong chance,” he said. “She was really good last time around and has won at Wanganui, and her work has been super.
“With the trial schedule so up in the air, we are going to probably run the risk and head back to the races. We are confident she will run well after a short let-up.”
