Mare chasing NZ Group 1 win

GEELONG trainer Troy Corstens is confident True Excelsior’s recent placing in the Group 3 Standish Handicap will be good enough for her to go close in New Zealand’s premier sprint the Group 1 Telegraph Stakes (1200m) at Wellington on Saturday.

True Excelsior drew barrier 13 in the field of 18 yesterday, which Corstens believes will suit.

“It’s basically a straight six scenario with a dogleg in it. She’s got a good bit of speed to take up a spot and she’s strong at the finish,” he said.

At her last start, True Excelsior finished third in the Standish Handicap at Flemington on New Year’s Day behind the inform Darren Weir-trained mare Whispering Brook.

“It’s hard to assess the New Zealand form but I’m hoping the Standish run will be good enough, but I won’t really know until after the race,” Corstens said.

Corstens said a Group 1 win would be invaluable for True Excelsior’s pedigree.

“She’s a Group 3 placegetter but if she could get a Group 1 against her name for her owners Nigel Austin and Anthony Mithen, she would be a valuable mare as she’d be regarded as a blue hen mare,” he said.

“That’s the main reason why she’s here.”

Stephen Baster will fly to New Zealand to ride the mare. It will be the first time the Corstens stable has had a runner in that country.