Relaxing Times ahead of Group 1 JJ Atkins

John is currently on the Gold Coast attending the Magic Millions Yearling sale looking to add to the stable and find the next turf star. During his time at the sales John has also been catching up with stable owner Apollo Ng.  The Ng & Sargent partnership is one that has tasted many successes in the past and in some of the biggest races, after all this is the partnership that can claim they owned and trained the last horse to beat the mighty mare- Winx with their very own Gust Of Wind.

While Apollo looks for the next generation of his own equine stars and with recent purchases currently in the stable working through their educational preparations, exciting times beckon again for the duo. On Saturday 9th June, Apollo and John will saddle up not one but two young geldings in the Group 1 JJ Atkins for the 2yr olds run over the mile- Home Ground and Home Made. Memories take you back to the 2015 ATC Oaks when the pair saddle up both Gust Of Wind and Thunder Lady, with the latter being the more fancied runner of the two- however as it played out Gust Of Wind was the one that caused the upset.

Both horses have been impressive in their preparations and have won dominantly so early in their careers and showing that they are two horses worth putting in your blackbook.

On Saturday Home Ground jumping from barrier 10 will be ridden by local NSW provincial rider Travis Wolfgram who has ridden the gelding in his last two victories and will be looking for what could be an emotional win for the young jockey. Wolfgram originally from Doomben is returning to his home track, riding in a race named in the honour of the man who helped his own father gain a start as a jockey and on a horse called Home Ground- is this one of the fairytale stories that the racing industry brings?

Home Made will jump from barrier 11 and to be ridden by Kiwi jockey- Michael Walker who has experienced the highs and lows that come with racing. Since recently returning from a bad back injury, Michael has taken no time at all to get himself back in the winners stall and quickly stamped his return to the riding ranks in Australia.

The two runners in the Group 1 have injected excitement around the stable complex as we all prepare to watch our “Home Boys” do us proud on the weekend. Both the horses will leave the stables today to make their journey to Doomben so that they can settle in ahead of the big day.

Home Made
Home Ground

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