Stablemates Oratia Beauty and Geneva will have opportunities to book their passages south when they step out at Ellerslie on Saturday.
The former will face a rise in class in the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) while Geneva will take on older opposition in the Kingmakers Syndication Handicap (1400m).
Trainer Kylie Hoskin has the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) hopes for the Jomara Bloodstock-bred and raced pair.
Oratia Beauty capped the strong start she’s made to her career when she broke her maiden after minor placings in both of her previous appearances.
“When we look back the horses she beat, there is very good form around her,” Hoskin said.
At Taupo last time out, the Too Darn Hot filly accounted for subsequent winner Kygo Star and Magic Carpet, who then came out and claimed top honours in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m).
“I think she does deserve her chance, and she has trained on really well,” Hoskin said.
“We were going to give her another run but with the wet tracks we haven’t, and she’s fit and ready to go for Saturday.
“She’s at her best fitness wise and this is her chance to show she’s up to competing at the top level of fillies in the Guineas.”
Time Test colt Geneva won his only start as a two-year-old and this season his progress has been hampered by the persistent wet tracks.
Despite unsuitable going, he was fourth in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), midfield in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and most recently ran third in an age group even on the course.
“His last run at Ellerslie was much better and was still a bit fierce in the running so we’ve added a nose band and in his trackwork he’s been a lot better,” Hoskin said.
“We’re hoping that’s going to be enough to let him relax more in the running and save it for the end.
“With the way the tracks have been, we haven’t been able to get a start into him and, again, this is his chance to see if he gets a trip down south.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.
