Wood’s stable looking to extend run of form
Paul Vettise • November 25th, 2025 4:12 PM • 3 min read
Chris Wood’s team has been in good recent form and he’s hoping for more of the same this week.
At Ellerslie on Saturday, the Cambridge trainer will have You Say D’Orsay in the Gr.3 Bayleys Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m), promising stayer Boxmoss in the Cure Kids Handicap (2400m) and sentimental favourite Lyin’ Eyes in the Mondiale VGL Maiden (1300m).
Wood will also have runners at Te Aroha on Wednesday where Watch Me Go (Property Brokers Maiden, 1150m) and That’s Gold (Travel Advocates Maiden, 1400m) look two of his better chances.
“I quite like them, they should definitely be strong each way chances,” he said.
You Say D’Orsay is the highest rated horse in the stable, with four wins to his credit, and has performed well in stakes company, finishing a close fifth earlier this year in the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m) and fourth in the $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m).
“He’s in the big mile and he’s racing well, he’s a very, very consistent horse and I’d expect him to go well again,” Wood said.
You Say D’Orsay has run consecutive thirds at Tauranga in his two starts back after a break, while Boxmoss has won three of his last five appearances, including a course and distance victory last time out.
“He’s a progressive staying horse and will be a really nice chance on Saturday,” Wood said.
“I’m really happy with him and everything going right, he’ll go to the Dunstan Stayers’ Final (2400m) on Boxing Day.”
Shocking mare Lyin’ Eyes will resume on Saturday after finishing a debut spring third behind last Saturday’s Whanganui winner Passiflora.
Wood has a lengthy and successful association with the four-year-old’s family.
“She’s a great granddaughter of a mare I trained to win on Cox Plate Day and Melbourne Cup Day in 1989,” he said.
A six-time winner up to Group Three level and Group One-placed, Echo Lass was ridden in her Moonee Valley and Flemington victories by former champion jockey and successful trainer Lance O’Sullivan. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
