By Adam Sherry – The Daily Telegraph
Triple Crown Syndications boss Chris Ward is banking on Hay Street and Freddie Bassett to keep the team’s momentum at Warwick Farm after Hellenic Belle’s Wellington Boot triumph.
Triple Crown Syndications founder and director Chris Ward is hoping the teams hot run of success continues with two leading contenders at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The week started well with Hellenic Belle winning the sought-after Wellington Boot on Sunday for trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald and jockey Braith Nock after winning the Starmaker at Muswellbrook last month.
“It’s been a great weekend. Hellenic Belle has been a very talented two-year-old filly and it was nice to see her go back-to-back,” said Ward.
Triple Crown, the Archibalds and Nock will again team up with the progressive Hay Street chasing a hat-trick of wins when he lines up in the TAB Handicap (1200m).
The son of Capitalist was beaten into second place by Journeyman when resuming at Warwick Farm in early February but quickly bounced back with an all-the-way maiden win over Maidoff at Rosehill and a smart win over Grand Prairie on the Kensington.
“He has been a horse we have had a lot of time for from day one hence we too him up in grade pretty quickly before he even won his first race,” Ward said.
“He performed really well in those races without clinching it.
“This preparation, we decided to bring him back and work through his grades and it’s working a treat so far going back-to-back.
“He has been good beating a couple of handy horses and it just backs up the opinion Annabel and Rob have of him.
“It’s not often a horse can achieve a hat-trick. It’s not an easy feat.
“I think he’s very well placed, obviously in very good form and we have an in-form jockey on as well.
“I think he’s going to be every chance to do it.”
Stablemate Freddie Bassett was given a shot at some stakes races last campaign and finished a 1-½ length sixth behind Azazel in the Listed Geelong Classic over 2200m.
He ran a nice race first-up this campaign when a ¾-length fifth to Wishful Thinker over 1350m at Wyong.
He will appreciate the step up in trip in the Schweppes Handicap (1600m) with Tommy Berry aboard from barrier 1.
“Annabel and Rob have always had a very high opinion of him,” Ward said.
“He’s a horse who is going to improve as he gets out over further.
“Ultimately, in the back of our minds, a Queensland Derby might be an option for him. We will just have to work up to that distance.
“I thought it was a very creditable run first-up and he wasn’t far off them.
“Over the mile this week, the blinkers go on for the first time which I think will be a real benefit for him.
“I think he is a very good chance also.”
Ward has been extremely pleased with the form of Mazu this autumn and is looking forward to seeing the gelding in action again in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick this weekend.
The seven-year-old was beaten just over two lengths when sixth behind Joliestar in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes a fortnight ago.
Prior to that though, he was a close third in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes behind Generosity and again to Marhoona in the Group 1 The Galaxy.
“He has been quite incredible for us and is still racing well, the old boy,” said Ward.
“He will go around in the Hall Mark Stakes on the weekend.
“He is fit and healthy and performing well. He has run a couple of thirds this preparation only beaten a head.”