Graeme Anderson, the Westwood Beach trainer of the 3yr-old with Amber Hoffman, said I Am Legend will continue to race in New Zealand.
Anderson and his partner, Wendy Muldrew, bought I Am Legend for $25,000 at the 2009 premier yearling sale in Christchurch when the Bettor's Delight-Soky's Legend colt was offered by Brian West. I Am Legend qualified at Rangiora in May.
He is a half-brother to London Legend (by In The Pocket), winner of 24 races in New Zealand and a free-for-all at Moonee Valley before being sold to the United States.
Anderson negotiated the sale of Arden Meadow to Devereux in 1985. Arden Meadow was then a late 2yr-old with winning form at trials from the Stiven stable at Tapanui. Arden Meadow (Son Of Afella-Evasion) won 15 races, including the 1986 Western Australia Derby.
Two years earlier, Anderson had negotiated the sale of Jay Bee's Fella to Western Australia from the Stiven stable. The Son Of Afella-Key Miss gelding won 20 races including the Benson and Hedges Mile and Lion Red Mile at Alexandra Park in 1987.
Yokozuna has resumed hoppled work with Anderson and Hoffman after a setback with a skin rash.
"We couldn't get gear on him," Anderson said.
Yokozuna won his last start at Forbury Park on September 10, his eighth win in 10 starts since he began racing six months ago.
Anderson said there was a lack of suitable races for Yokozuna.
• Franco Ledger was paid up for the Yearling Sales Pace at Alexandra Park in December after his win in the Sires' Stakes heat on Thursday night.
The owners finalised the $1178 final payment with Sires' Stakes Board representative Kerryn Corbett.
Franco Ledger was a $35,000 purchase at the 2009 premier yearling sale by the What Ever syndicate and trainer Hamish Hunter.
The Falcon Seelster-Lets Scoot Franco colt was bred by Spreydon Lodge.
The 12-member syndicate and supporters were out in force on Thursday night, with 22 people assembling for the presentation after the race.
• Capitol Drive gave most of his 12 owners their first win when successful in a maiden trot on Thursday night.
Invercargill trainer Ray Faithful organised the purchase of Capitol Drive for the BBC syndicate a fortnight ago from Dave Moore, of West Melton. The syndicate members are mainly from the Bluff Bowling Club and Capitol Drive was having his first start in their ownership.
"I bought him on the recommendation of Dexter Dunn," Faithful said.
Dunn was familiar with Capitol Drive, who was previously trained by owner Dave Moore. Dunn and Moore both work for West Melton trainer Cran Dalgety.
Dunn drove Capitol Drive at Forbury Park. Capitol Drive had been placed in four of his 12 starts (including a second to Dr Hook at Methven) for Moore since he began racing 13 months ago as a 4yr-old.
Capitol Drive is by Malabar Maple from Galleon's Paradise, who won 12 races, including five in a row in Australia.
The BBC syndicate had tried the pacer Bel Cardo Star with Faithful.
"He [Bel Cardo Star] only had one start and everything went wrong with him. He had to have a wind operation and had a bad tendon," Faithful said.
• Additional information for meetings today. -
Racing Matamata
Scratchings:
Race 2: Irishwristwatch.
Riders:
Race 11: Readallaboutit - T Arumugam.
Race 12: Bella Rosalia - M Coleman.
Weather, overcast; track, good (3); rail, true.
Egmont RC
Scratchings:
Race 3: Towbarzar.
Race 7: Cracker Tee Pee.
Weather, overcast; track, dead (4); rail, true.
NZ Metropolitan TC, tonight
Scratchings:
Race 4: Sir Varno, Shesachristian.
Race 9: Hollywod Sue.
Weather, showery; track, fast.
