The Oaks Stud has a great association with the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and the Cambridge farm are hoping to extend their legacy in the Riccarton Classic next month with Burn To Shine.
“We have Catalyst (2019) and Darci Brahma (2005) who we were involved with and also with Buzz Lightyear (1999) when Terry Jarvis owned this place in the early years,” The Oaks Stud General Manager Rick Williams said.
“It is a good race for us and we hope that continues.”
Burn To Shine will head into the race in winning form, having taken out the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton last Saturday.
“It wasn’t a surprise to us and hopefully he is approaching his peak, which will hopefully be in two weeks’ time,” Williams said.
“It’s lovely to have the confidence heading into it (Guineas) thinking we are a chance. I am sure the Annie Sarten form is stronger, so we have still got to improve again to beat that horse (Crocetti), but we are in the mix.”
Burn To Shine is now the winner of three of his six starts, placing in his three other outings, including the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m), and Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m).
There has been plenty of interest in the gelding, which owner Dick Karreman has resisted, with the hope of gaining Group One glory and further strengthening the family’s pedigree.
“They (bloodstock agents) have been after him since he was a two-year-old, but we said all along that we are heading towards the Guineas,” Williams said.
“We own Smoulder (dam) and we would love to win another Guineas, it has been a good race to us over the years, and it is worth a lot more money this year.
“Smoulder is a mare we bred and raced. She was out of Flying Firebird, who we bought off the racetrack. She was a Group Two winner and placed in the 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m).
“We had a good filly out of her called Embers that was a Group-class horse in the making but got injured. We are breeding from her as well, so we have got a few members of the family.
“The mare is back in-foal to So You Think and we have got a Hello Youmzain colt going to the sales out of her. She is looking like a very good producer."