Outstanding Australian-based 3-year-old galloper Evaporate is heading to New Zealand to add a sizzling trans-Tasman edge to the brand-new slot race, The NZB Kiwi, at Ellerslie on 8 March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Evaporate, a son of Little Avondale Stud\u2019s sire Per Incanto, will run in the TAB slot for Entain New Zealand, who operate TAB and the TAB Racing Club, in the 1500-metre feature on Champions Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The winner of four of his 10 races, trained by brothers Ben, Will & JD Hayes in Victoria, Evaporate has performed at the elite level in Australia in the spring, running 3rd in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas in October before competing in the world-famous Cox Plate later that month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Australian-trained horses of this quality have rarely been seen in New Zealand, and Entain Managing Director \u2013 New Zealand, Cameron Rodger was ecstatic to reach terms with Evaporate\u2019s owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We\u2019ve searched through the history books and to have a placegetter in the Caulfield Guineas \u2013 a race that is one of the best three year old races on the Australian calendar and famous for launching stallion careers \u2013 head across the Tasman is a fantastic coup for the inaugural running of The NZB Kiwi,\u201d Rodger said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvaporate is a shining example of the New Zealand thoroughbred being bred and foaled at the famous Little Avondale Stud on the outskirts of Masterton. He\u2019s already proven himself on the Australian stage, and we\u2019re thrilled to have him back for such a massive day in New Zealand racing history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith a strong following across the ditch, Evaporate\u2019s presence in The NZB Kiwi will ensure the Australasian focus on 8 March will be squarely set on Champions Day at Ellerslie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Evaporate will provide the Hayes brothers – Ben, Will & JD \u2013 with an opportunity to campaign a horse in New Zealand, and JD Hayes said the brothers were relishing the chance to head across the Tasman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It\u2019s an honour to be part of the first ever running of The NZB Kiwi and we think we\u2019ve got a very talented 3-year-old to give this race a shake,\u201d JD Hayes said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe was tremendous during the spring and has all the credentials to be a major player over the 1500m, which is in the same distance range as the Caulfield Guineas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile he certainly is Kiwi-bred, we\u2019re proud to be adding some trans-Tasman flavour to this brand-new race.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Evaporate is likely to trial later this month and run fresh up in Victoria during February before travelling to New Zealand for The NZB Kiwi, a race worth up to $4.5m in stakes and bonuses.<\/p>\n\n\n