She’s precious all right
Appropriately-named filly The Precious One will take another step toward a Group I goal when she runs at Oamaru on Friday.
Bred and raced by the Dennis brothers, The Precious One was a runaway winner on debut last month and she has pleased trainer Claire Anderton ahead of the White Robe Lodge Handicap (1200m).
‘‘Ideally, I would have liked to have given her a trial or a jumpout, but the tracks have been so sodden down here that it wasn’t possible,’’ she said.
Today’s meeting was originally scheduled for Wingatui but was transferred early in the week after 30mm of rain in the previous 10 days leaving the ground very heavy.
‘‘She’s come through the race well and I was pleased that she did everything right and her manners at the gates were good, that was as pleasing as the way she won.
‘‘I’ve always had a high opinion of her. She’s got a lovely nature and she’s a really laidback filly.’’
By Darci Brahma, The Precious One is on a path toward the gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), a race her mother The Jewel won in 2002, at Riccarton on November 18.
‘‘As long as everything goes well at Oamaru, she’ll head to the Guineas Trial in about three weeks’ time,’’ Anderton said.
The Precious One was ridden first time out by Chris Johnson and he will guide her fortunes again on Friday.