Breeders Stakes beckons mare

‘‘She’s a lovely mare and she’s getting better all the time.’’ trainer Julia Ritchie on Sopraffina

Last-start winner Sopraffina is likely to head to the central districts in an attempt to add black type to her record.

‘‘She’s a lovely mare and she’s getting better all the time,’’ said Julia Ritchie, who trains the daughter of High Chaparral with her partner Steven Ramsay. ‘‘She might go down for the Breeders’ Stakes.’’

The Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes will be run at Awapuni on April 7.

Sopraffina won for the fourth time in her 13-start career when she was successful at Pukekohe Park last week.

Meanwhile New Zealandbred three-year-old Odeon has taken another winning step toward a Group One goal.

The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained son of Zacinto claimed Saturday’s Mornington Guineas to confirm a crack at the South Australian Derby.

‘‘There’s plenty of upside to him, he sustained a long run and won well,’’ Zahra said.

‘‘The owners have been patient with him, hopefully we can reward them with a Derby.’’

Rising Singapore star Countofmontecristo has underlined his talent by maintaining his perfect record.

The New Zealand-bred son of Echoes In Heaven was successful in the Singapore Three-yearold Sprint at Kranji on Sunday evening for trainer Michael Clements, his fourth win in succession. He was bred by the Taranaki-based Crofskey family, who also bred and raced the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby winner Habibi.