Promise To Reign rates
Trainer Moira Murdoch’s decision to put side winkers on Promise To Reign might prove a winning move in the $300,000 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham on Saturday.
Promise To Reign is a strongfinisher and will relish Trentham’s long 450m home straight. Side winkers have been added to counter the filly’s tendency to drift around a little.
‘‘It’s just greenness,’’ Murdoch, of Waiuku, said.
At her fourth start, she won a maiden three-year-old 1600m at Te Rapa on January 20. She has finished second in two subsequent starts, the Sunline Vase at Ellerslie on March 5 and Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic at Te Rapa on February 13.
Promise To Reign and winner Mime were both inconvenienced at the 300m in the Vase. They had to change stride outwards when third-placed Maritimo appeared to shy at something and duck out.
By Manhattan Rain, Promise The Reign began her journey to Trentham on Friday, stopping the night at Palmerston North before continuing to the capital. Murdoch will wait until after the Oaks to decide on plans for Promise To Reign.
‘‘This is her first trip away, we’ll wait and see what happens,’’ she said.
Promise To Reign didn’t race at two but had two trials for a third and a fifth last autumn.
Jockey Leith Innes is pleased with the filly’s form going into the Oaks.
‘‘She was ranging up when that horse ducked out [at Ellerslie]. It was a good effort by her,’’ Innes said. ‘‘I know Sophia Rosa and Mime are going to be the hardest to beat but I’m really happy to be on Promise To Reign.’’
Innes’ long list of winners includes success on More Than Sacred in the 2013 Oaks.
He is fifth on the national jockeys’ premiership with 59 wins this season. Promise To Reign will be the second to race for Murdoch in the Oaks following Sabayon who ran 16th in the 2006 edition won by Legs.
In final field betting, Sofia Rosa ($2.10), Mime ($4.60) and Promise To Reign ($7) are the first three favourites for the Oaks.
Murdoch and Innes will also team up for Marky Mark’s tilt at the $100,000 Wellington Guineas.
Marky Mark ran fourth in a 1400m rating 85 at Ellerslie on March 5 at his last start.
He was not able to get cover early, but still fought bravely to the line.