Somethingvain eyes black type win and shot at Railway

Under-rated galloper Somethingvain will seal a group one start in the Railway at Ellerslie if she runs well on Saturday.

The talented daughter of Falkirk is chasing a breakthrough black type victory and the direction of her quest will depend on the immediate form of the lightlyraced six-year-old.

Somethingvain’s career-best performance came on her home track 12 months ago when she finished runner-up in the $100,000 Group Two NRM Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and at Pukekohe on Saturday she will be bidding to go one better.

‘‘We’re doing exactly the same with her as we did last year – one run and then this one a month later,’’ said Michael Rogers, who trains with his brother Matthew and their father Matt.

‘‘She’s come back really well and she’s strengthened up with a spell.’’

The mare drew well in barrier two, for New Zealand Cup-winning rider Sam Spratt, in a strong field featuring three top mares from the Murray Baker-Andrew Forsman stable: Francaletta (barrier 8), Deals In Heels (barrier 11) and Coldplay (barrier 14).

Last year, Somethingvain was unplaced in an open sprint at Ellerslie ahead of the Breeders’ Stakes and this time around she finished third in the same lead-up event.

‘‘She has progressed nicely and she’s in very good order, we’re pretty happy,’’ Rogers said.

Victory on Saturday would earn Somethingvain, the winner of six of her 24 starts, a Group One opportunity at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

‘‘If she wins we would have a crack at the Railway, if not then we would be looking at the Listed Newmarket and then the Westbury Classic,’’ Rogers said.

Somethingvain has finished fourth in the last two editions of the Group Two Westbury Classic (1400m), formerly run in March and now been brought forward to January 27.

‘‘That improves the chances of a dry track, which suits her much better,’’ Rogers said.

‘‘She hasn’t been served this year so we’re looking for a black type win for her to help her future value for the owners.’’

Somethingvain is raced by Ken Beer, Alan Young and Chris Grace.

Grace has experienced Group One success with his Diamond Stakes (1200m) and Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Anabandana.

- NZ Racing Desk