Sofia Rosa poised for Sydney strike
Quality mare Sofia Rosa will only run at Ellerslie on Thursday if there is a problem with her flight to Sydney.
All going smoothly, she will run in the Group I Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday, with Blake Shinn booked to handle the Stephen Marsh-trained four-yearold.
The Cambridge galloper’s connections had originally planned to use the Group I Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes as a springboard to an Australian autumn campaign.
But with the meeting postponed until Thursday, Sofia Rosa has only remained in the field in case of any hold-up to her flight to Sydney.
‘‘It’s planned to go early on Wednesday morning,’’ said Wairarapa bloodstock agent Bruce Perry, who manages owner Lib Petagna’s thoroughbred interests.
‘‘The Ranvet has always been a thought and then when Ellerslie was called off we put in an entry.
‘‘The race fits into her programme and when we saw the nominations it did look a very inviting option.
‘‘It was always going to be a strong field, but if we’re going to capture a Group I at weight-for-age it looks a reasonable opportunity, especially if they get a bit of rain.’’
The Ranvet will serve as Sofia Rosa’s lead-up to the A$4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on April 8.
The daughter of Makfi, who last autumn won the Australian Oaks, has impressed in two domestic outings this preparation.
She made late ground to run seventh when resuming in the Group I NRM Sprint at Te Rapa and again finished well for third in the Group I Haunui Farm WFA Classic.