Anniversary Handicap target for Asama Blue

Asama Blue’s value will skyrocket if a Trentham plan can be successfully executed next month.

Trainers Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie are looking to the opening day of the Wellington Cup carnival to provide the well-bred five-year-old with a significant boost for the second stage of her career.

“There’s the Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap and then we’ll assess her after that,” Ramsay said of the Sir Peter Vela-owned mare.

“She’s by Fastnet Rock out of a Sadler’s Wells mare so if we can get black type she will be very valuable.”

Asama Blue, who is in foal to Tavistock, finished a respectable laststart fifth under rider Alysha Collett in the Cal Isuzu Stakes at Te Rapa.

“I thought her run was very good,” Ramsay said. “Weight-for-age wasn’t ideal and she’s the sort of mare that needs to get rolling.

“A couple of times Alysha said she couldn’t get going when she wanted to and she could have run third or fourth if she had got out earlier.”

Meanwhile, the stable will have two runners today at Matamata with the in-form Libretti in the Matamata Tyre Services Handicap (1600m) and Lucidity in the Fashions in the Fields 24 February Maiden (1200m). “Libretti is an ultra-consistent mare,” Ramsay said. “She’s a tough, genuine Darci Brahma and gives 120 per cent every time and we’re expecting the same again from her.

“Lucidity won a trial quite nicely and we’ve put in a nomination for the New Zealand Oaks. We see her as one of our better three-year-olds.”