Northern filly ready to strike at Ashburton
HASTINGS filly Xpression brings her One Thousand Guineas campaign south to Ashburton tomorrow.
The Guy Lowry and Grant Cullentrained filly will start a hot favourite in group 3 3yrold company over 1400m.
Xpression ran an excellent second to Avantage in her last start in the Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings.
She comes south in good order, Lowry said.
‘‘We were really happy with the way she left.
‘‘She has come through her last start well and we are just hoping for a bit of luck.
‘‘I thought [her last start] was OK and her sectionals suggested her run was OK.’’
Xpression’s getback racing style suggests stepping from 1200m to 1400m should suit her.
Lowry is not taking that for granted ahead of tomorrow’s race.
‘‘You always like to hope they will get over a bit of a trip, but she might not. Who knows?
‘‘She’s going the right way at the moment and we’re looking forward to having her run on Saturday.
‘‘She has got a good turn of foot, which probably gets her out of a bit of trouble.’’
The quinellamakers in the Guineas Trial at Riccarton two weeks ago head Xpression’s opposition.
Both Our Flying Ace and Fire Show proved 1400m was no trouble to them in the event.
Despite being beaten, Fire Show was particularly impressive considering she was unable to be ridden out after rider Tina Comignaghi’s saddle slipped.
Wekaforce could be the forgotten runner in tomorrow’s race.
She has not started since her good second placing behind Emily Margaret in the Canterbury Belle Stakes.
Xpression and her Ashburton rivals will not have to worry about clashing with Avantage in the One Thousand Guineas. The classy filly has sustained an injury and will require rest in a loose box for the next six weeks.
Last year’s winner of the Ashburton 3yrold stakes race, Prom Queen, returns to the track this year for tomorrow’s 1200m open sprint.
She comes south after returning from a winter campaign in Queensland.
Bookmakers opened Prom Queen a $2 favourite for tomorrow’s race.
— Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk