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Te Akau Racing will be vying to score juvenile stakes titles on opposite ends of the country on Saturday.
New Zealand's leading stable will have a two-pronged attack in the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton courtesy of Discretion Rules and debutant Colonel Warden, while Fortuna Syndicate's Star Shadow will be their sole representative in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa.
Discretion Rules has been very consistent, placing in all three of his starts to date, including runner-up behind stablemate Nucleozor in the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton last month.
Nucleozor has been the victor in all three of their meetings, but will be missing from Saturday's contest, and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are hoping Discretion Rules can capitalise on that.
"He's been in good form the whole way through. He is well and he is definitely in the mix," Walker said.
Walker is also pleased with Colonel Warden, with the son of Russian Revolution having won his 950m trial at Tauranga in March before trekking south to Te Akau's Riccarton barn to prepare for his debut outing this weekend.
"He has trialled up okay up north. He's better than a runner's chance," he said.
Discretion Rules is a $3.60 favourite for the race with TAB bookmakers, while Colonel Warden is on the fourth line of betting at $5.50.
In the North Island, the stable is hoping fellow juvenile Star Shadow can continue their winning form in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes at Te Rapa.
The daughter of Reliable Man won on debut at Otaki last month, and while pleased with their filly, Walker and Bergerson are aware of the quality of horse she will meet this weekend.
"It was a good win on debut, but this is a bit of a step-up, it's quite a good field," Walker said.
The unbeaten Domain Ace heads the market for the juvenile feature at a winning quote of $3.10, with the Stephen Marsh-trained debut winner Super Photon the second fancied runner at $3.60.
Meanwhile, Walker is hopeful of picking up another couple of wins this weekend to add to Te Akau Racing's current domestic season haul of 144 victories.
Francee has caught Walker's eye in the Metalco 1400 at Te Rapa, while he said Can't Kach Me and Our Milly Bee look strong prospects in the Rohan Mudhoo Trust Fundraiser Rating 65 (2000m).
"Francee has been in reasonable form. She is definitely in the mix, but it is quite an even field," Walker said. "Can't Kach Me and Our Milly Bee are both chances in that race at Riccarton, while Sorcha has been in good form."
