Stakes test for undefeated filly

‘‘It’s a mile and she’s only been 1200m so far so we’ll know a lot more after Christchurch.’’ Claire Anderton

Aptly-named filly The Precious One will head to Riccarton on Saturday for her first opportunity to add black type to her perfect record.

The daughter of Darci Brahma and the multiple Group One winner The Jewel maintained her unbeaten record on her home track at Wingatui last time out when resuming from a six-month break.

‘‘Her jump-out was good and so was her work and we know the ability she’s got, but I don’t know yet how good she might be,’’ trainer Claire Anderton said. ‘‘She’ll go to Riccarton on Saturday for the three-year-old fillies’ race and go from there. It’s a mile and she’s only been 1200m so far so we’ll know a lot more after Christchurch.’’

The next step for The Precious One is the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes (1600m) and regular rider Chris Johnson doesn’t expect the step up in trip to be a stumbling block.

‘‘Chris hasn’t had to ask her a serious question and he said she came back to him the other day and relaxed,’’ Anderton said.

‘‘He feels she will get over more ground. She’s pretty laidback and in trackwork only does what she has to, she doesn’t work like a superstar.’’

Raced by her breeders Joe, Martin, Ray and Tony Dennis, she was untested to win her first two starts in the spring and was being aimed at the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) – a race her mother won in 2002.

A stone bruise ruled The Precious One out of the Guineas Trial (1400m) before a joint issue forced her out of the Guineas. ‘‘She’s fine now and it’s hard not to get excited.’’