Local 2YO ready to open stakes campaign
Paul Vettise • January 19th, 2026 2:40 PM • 3 min read
A two-step home track plan for promising Matamata youngster Justin Case will come into play on Wednesday.
Raced by breeder Waikato Stud with Ohukia Lodge’s Jamie Beatson, the well-related son of Banquo will run in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO (1100m) with a crack at the Gr.3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m) to follow on February 14.
Justin Case was a spring trial winner at Taupō before he was put aside after finishing runner-up in his race day debut in early November.
“It was aways the plan after Pukekohe to give him a couple of weeks off and then target the colts and geldings’ race at Matamata, so this is a good lead into that,” said trainer Kris Shailer, who manages Courtza Park for Waikato Stud.
“He put on a bit of condition and strengthened right up during his little break, then he spent some time with Jamie and Chanel Beatson for a bit of pre-training, and they did a great job.”
Justin Case is out of Savabeel’s daughter Do Ra Mi, who won the Gr.2 Kewney Stakes (1600m), and was originally in Ohukia’s draft to New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale last year before his withdrawal.
“Jamie really liked him and said why don’t we just got to the trials with him and he won that,” Shailer said.
“He was potentially going to be a trade horse, but the boys decided to carry on with him and he went to the races.”
Meanwhile, well-bred stablemate Convinced will debut in the Elsdon Park At Karaka 2026 Maiden (1200m).
“She was pretty impressive winning a trial at Rotorua in September, but tweaked a hamstring,” Shailer said.
“We’ve given her the time she needed and brought her back slowly, she hasn’t trialled for a long time, but she is fit enough to run well.”
Raced by breeder Garry Chittick, Convinced is a daughter of Super Seth and Savabeel mare The Real Beel who won the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) and placed in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1200m) and Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
Shailer has a small team of horses in work for the Matamata nursery including smart four-year-old Magice, a brother to resident stallion and Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Noverre.
Magice has a brace of wins and two placings from four appearances and hasn’t raced since he was successful at Pukekohe in early November.
“He’s quite exciting but he got crook with a really bad virus after he won,” Shailer said.
“He’s been back in work for a couple of weeks now and we’ll get him going again in the autumn and try and win another race or two.
“We’ll put him aside then for the winter and come back for the spring and summer.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.
