Mike Dillon's weekend reflections

There are options galore for stylish J Swap Contractors Te Aroha Cup winner Roi d'Jeu.

But almost certainly not the two obvious ones: the Rotorua and Hawkes Bay Cups.

It is much more likely Roi d'Jeu will be sent on an Australian campaign.

"My worry here is that he's got to the top of the handicaps in New Zealand without winning a great deal of money," says trainer Shaune Ritchie.

"Even with this winning stake he still hasn't quite won $100,000 and he carried 58kg on Saturday.

"I don't want to be sending him around in a race like the Rotorua Cup carrying topweight."

Ritchie said he would plan a campaign after discussions with owner Gerard Peterson and Keith Parsons.

"There are options in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. I'd prefer to take him to Melbourne."

It was a top effort to win on Saturday because horses that got back as he did and had to come wide in the home straight couldn't win in any other race, but Roi d'Jeu beat the day's pattern.

Veyron just keeps doing it.

He's now won six of his last seven starts and the ease with which he secured his 2-length Te Aroha victory suggests the run might not have finished yet.

Veyron has a deceptive action. He looks to be travelling very easily, yet covers a remarkable amount of ground with a big loping stride.

Saturday's victory pushed him beyond $100,000 and it's never easy to win the big money with sprinters.

Linda Laing and Rogan Norvall deserve credit.

David Paykel deserves plenty of luck after the disaster he had last season with the hugely talented Zarzuela breaking down and he looks to have found a replacement in Blue Yonder.

Someone put a stack of dollars on the debut filly at Te Aroha, despite an ugly No 13 barrier.

The draw was negated in seconds when Blue Yonder made a blindingly fast jump from the gates to clear the others by two lengths and make all the pace.

The others were grabbing her late, but she had too much on them and won nicely.

It won't be the last you hear of her.

Trainer Richard Collett produced yet another stylish debut juvenile winner when Shanspur won at Pukekohe yesterday. The Flying Spur filly was bought at the same Australian yearling sale as Blue Yonder.

Yesterday, Shanspur looked no chance when fourth at the 200m, but with a magnificent long stride ate up the ground to propel herself to the front short of the finish.

Both fillies have big futures.

BACK THESE:

Magic In Me: Produced a big finish wide where they found it difficult on Saturday, finishing in third spot in the maiden. Watch next time and particularly when she steps up to 1600m.

Harlequin: Found plenty of trouble at the back of the field and made ground late to finish just behind the placegetters in the juvenile. Shouldn't be long in winning one.

Safari: Paid the price for being a back runner on a day when that was not the place to be. Made ground in the closing stages and will be tough next time he strikes a track with no on-pace bias.

Lady Chaparral: Last away when resuming and did well to finish third in a competitive field. Will be improved for that.

Nicole Amy: Got home well down the outside in her first race since December. Underrated and versatile, but prefers it when wet and loose.

Dancing Jess: Found plenty of home-straight trouble before finishing strongly to be close up in the big race. Just needs things to go her way to break through for a big win.

Atom Cat: Out wide where they weren't winning and perhaps understandably wilted late in his first start after a spell. Should improve quickly.

Indikator: Big placed effort in the sprint when resuming. Won't be difficult to place.

Splinter: Missed away then struck trouble in the home straight. Give another chance.

Shopaholic: Produced a determined bid behind a talented juvenile winner.