Cambridge Stud Mares Primed for New Year's Day Target Races

Media Release - Tuesday December 31

Gifted mare Jaarffi looks well placed to turn her fortunes around on New Year’s Day when she headlines a formidable team at Ellerslie for Lance Noble.

The daughter of Iffraaj will step out in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) while stablemate Terra Mitica will take aim at the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m).

Jaarffi will contest the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie on Wednesday.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Noble prepares the stakes contenders for Cambridge Stud and they also have in-form runners First Dance in the Eagle Technology (1200m) and Frostfair in the Barfoot & Thompson (1400m), with Warren Kennedy to ride the quartet.

Jaarffi was unplaced last time out in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, but her Karaka-based trainer quickly moved on from that performance.

“She drew wide and missed the kick, she had her head to the side when they jumped,” he said.

“She got back in a big field and was no chance, after about 10 strides I’d forgotten the race, it was mission impossible.”

Noble is expecting a far more competitive effort from Jaarffi on Wednesday.

“She runs well at Ellerslie, she’s had two starts there for two wins and has a better draw this time and I’m sure she’ll run really well,” he said.

“It is her first time at 1600m, although she won the special conditions race (Rangitoto Classic) over 1500m last prep, so I don’t think it holds any fears.”

Queen Elizabeth contender Terra Mitica placed in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) before she struck trouble in the running when out of the money in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m).

Advertisement

At her most recent outing, the English-bred six-year-old daughter of Ulysses finished third on the course and will drop 2kg on New Year’s Day.

“She’s not a big mare and she’s had to carry a bit of weight in her last couple of starts,” Noble said.

“What I like about her is that she likes the firm ground at Ellerslie. It’s quite an even field and she’ll get her chance.”

Zousain filly First Dance broke her maiden at her third appearance before a spell and returned to finish fifth over the course and distance earlier this month.

“She needed that run, we gave her a break after she won and went in without a trial,” Noble said.

“She’s done well since and looks well. She’s a three-year-old racing against the older horses, but we are really happy with her.”

Frostfair will bid to complete a hat-trick of wins and the progressive daughter of Written Tycoon looks a stakes contender in waiting.

“I think so, she hasn’t been out of the top four in any of her races and she’s really come of age,” Noble said.

“Her last win was strong, she we gave her a little break and she’s since won a trial nicely at Counties, so she sets up well. She’s got a good barrier and we’re pretty hopeful.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Aussie Bred HK G3 Double
A pair of Group III races were run at Sha Tin on Sunday with victory in the two last stakes races of the HK season both going to Aussie bred geldings Beauty Joy and Copartner Prance, who is a half-brother to Aquis based sire Kobayashi.
Three on the Trot for Zousain 3YO
The Paul Shailer stable has been flying over the winter carnival and one of the stable stars has been Zousain gelding Mister Bianco, who made it three wins in succession when taking out the $150,000 Schweppes TL Cooney (1350m) at Ipswich on Saturday.
One to Watch – Cranbourne
Second in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate last year to Tycoon Star, this Cosmic Force colt made light work of a maiden at Cranbourne on Sunday when bolting away to win as he pleased.
Highview Makes Welcome Return to Weanling Sale
Many of the vendors at this month’s NZB National Weanling Sale are familiar faces who are renowned for their quality drafts at this sale every year, but the 2025 edition also sees an old friend being welcomed back to the fold.
Godolphin’s Kin Wins Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic
After recording her first black type victory during last year’s spring carnival, the James Cummings trained Kin has produced three quality black type efforts during the Queensland carnival, resulting in a thoroughly deserving victory in Saturday's $160,000 Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1200m) at Ipswich.
Royal Ascot Day 5 – Runaway, Rising Empire and My Best Friend
After five spectacular days of racing, Royal Ascot is over with the finale overnight producing high drama with a runaway G1 winner, the rise of a racing empire and the first stakes horse for St Mark’s Basilica.
Aussie Golden Eagle Form Delivers Royal Ascot G1 Finale
There were a couple of Aussie elements to the brilliant victory of Lazzat in the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot overnight as he came to our shores last year and very nearly won the $10million Golden Eagle.
Bonny Grey Mare Wins G3 Strickland
Last December at Ascot, popular grey mare Admiration Express (My Admiration) nearly caused the upset result of the year when she charged home at odds of 100/1 in the G1 Northerly Stakes for second behind Victorian raider Light Infantry Man.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 22
Here is the full list of 76 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch Wins Again!
It might be winter and all eyes may have been on Royal Ascot this week, but there was a winner at Flemington on Saturday that will have caught the eye of anyone with half an interest towards spring racing and emerging talent.