Autridge hunts gold

The gold colours Hickman will once prominent at tomorrow.

The Valachi Downs principal has four horses entered with private trainer Stephen Autridge, with two firm chances in feature races.

Showcasing filly Laced With Gold will line up in the Listed Barneswood Farm Welcome Stakes (1000m) after finishing second and fourth in her two previous starts over 800m at Riccarton last month.

‘‘She has continued to please us, but her barrier draw doesn’t,’’ he said.

‘‘She is well and we have put blinkers on just to smarten her up that little bit. She is working well. We are just doing our best to get some black-type for her, which we think we can.’’

Laced With Gold has been fancied by the TAB, with bookmakers installing her as a $3.70 favourite for the race over last start winner La Romanee at $3.90.

Autridge said the juvenile filly would head for a spell after of Kevin again be Riccarton tomorrow and will likely be set towards more black-type targets next year.

‘‘She will come back to Matamata and go out to Valachi for a spell. If she does well she could head towards the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes [Gr.2, 1200m].’’

Autridge is also looking forward to contesting Group One spoils tomorrow with Karalino in the gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).

The three-year-old daughter of Zacinto is in good form, winning over 1400m two starts back before finishing runner-up behind Kali in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton last start.

‘‘It was a good run last start, we were taking ground off her quite quickly,’’ Autridge said.

Autridge has taken a lot of confidence from the run and believes she will be right in the finish on Saturday.

‘‘I am very happy with her,’’ he said. ‘‘She has drawn quite nicely [barrier six] and the distance will be no problem.’’

NZ Racing Desk