Racing: Riccarton drums beating for Ferrando

Smart sprinter Ferrando who will be on a southern mission. Photo / Trish Dunell

Group one performer Ferrando has been set for a southern sprinting feature.

The Team Rogerson-trained son of Fast 'N' Famous is back in work with Riccarton on his long-term radar following a frustrating two-race campaign in Adelaide.

"He's looking really well and we'll be getting him ready for the Stewards at Christchurch," said part-owner Graeme Rogerson.

Ferrando has won seven of his 19 starts, including the group three Mongolian Khan Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie, the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham and he also finished third there in the group one Telegraph (1200m).

A renowned dry track performer, the four-year-old subsequently ventured to South Australia where he finished fifth in the group three McKay Stakes (1100m) before he was unplaced in the group one Goodwood (1200m).

"It hadn't rained there for months and then it rained for each of his races," Rogerson said.

Meanwhile, Ferrando's well-performed stablemate Gift Of Power is also progressing well.

"She's unbeaten at Trentham so hopefully she can be our Telegraph horse," Rogerson said.

The three-year-old daughter of Power has won eight times from 14 appearances, with four of them on the Wellington course including last season's group two Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1000m).

Gift Of Power was turned out after finishing fifth against the older horses in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Finance Sprint (1200m) at Hawke's Bay in April.

- NZ Racing Desk