The New Zealanders have had a quiet autumn carnival by their usual standards but that could be about to change at Randwick on Saturday.Vosne Romanee, the dominant weight-for-age performer across the Tasman this season, is due to arrive in Sydney on Monday for a tilt at the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).The seven-year-old has been a late bloomer and only posted his first Group One victory last October when he claimed the Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) but he showed that was no fluke by ad
The New Zealanders have had a quiet autumn carnival by their usual standards but that could be about to change at Randwick on Saturday.
Vosne Romanee, the dominant weight-for-age performer across the Tasman this season, is due to arrive in Sydney on Monday for a tilt at the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
The seven-year-old has been a late bloomer and only posted his first Group One victory last October when he claimed the Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) but he showed that was no fluke by adding wins in the Zabeel Classic and New Zealand Stakes, both over 2000 metres.
He heads to Randwick a triple Group One winner and provided the weather and track conditions hold out, trainer Jeff Lynds sees no reason Vosne Romanee won't continue his current vein of form in Sydney.
"He's done well and if he gets track conditions to suit him he will be a chance," Lynds said.
"He likes it firm.
Opie Bosson will partner Vosne Romanee who will be the third member of Lynds stable to compete at Randwick this autumn.
Wall Street finished 11th to Rangirangdo in Saturday's Doncaster Mile while Auckland Cup runner-up Booming is set to back up in the Sydney Cup (3200m) following his eye-catching third to Herculian Prince in the JRA Plate (2000m)
"We'll see how he comes through the race. He is in the Sydney Cup next week," Lynds said.
This year's foray to Sydney isn't Lynds' first.
He has had the odd runner over the years, including Armstrong who was fifth to Henderson Bay in the 2002 Chairman's Handicap and like Vosne Romanee had won the New Zealand Stakes two starts earlier.
He also travelled with Marconee who was seventh to Pharoah in the 1995 Doncaster and went on to finish third to Danewin in the Group One Caulfield Stakes the following spring.
The Kiwis are yet to win a major race this autumn but have made their mark in recent years with the likes of Daffodil and Nom Du Jeu winning Group One races.
AJC Australian Derby placegetter Monaco Consul is also being aimed at the Queen Elizabeth following his eye-catching third to Shoot Out.
The dual Group One winner of the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick and Victoria Derby at Flemington, Monaco Consul was out of sorts in three runs in New Zealand over the summer including when 10th as favourite in the Zabeel Classic.
Trainer Mike Moroney plans to give the colt the chance to add the Queensland Derby to his resume this winter.
After contemplating the Sydney Cup (3200m), Moroney will now rely on last year's runner-up Divine Rebel in Saturday's staying feature.