Anderton wants rain at Riccarton
Claire Anderton knows winning a Group III on Saturday would be the perfect way to silence any talk of a Riccarton hoodoo.
The Diamond One is yet to win in five starts at Riccarton but will be a leading chance in the $80,000 Group III South Island Breeders Stakes on Saturday. As far as Anderton is concerned there is no Riccarton jinx.
All five of The Diamond One’s attempts at Riccarton have been at Group I, Group III or Listed level.
‘‘She ran a very creditable fourth there in the 1000 Guineas in only about her fourth start and she hasn’t struck a lot of luck there in her other starts,’’ Anderton said.
The Riccarton surface was rated a good 3 on Thursday but with showers predicted for Friday and possibly on Saturday – a dead surface is not out of the question.
The Wingatui-based Anderton will be keeping a close eye on the Canterbury skies.
‘‘We would be very happy with a dead track,’’ Anderton said.
‘‘Most of her wins have come on rain affected tracks, she really comes into her own even if it’s only slightly rain affected.
‘‘Anything around 1.37 (minutes) brings her right into it, if they go 1.35 she does tend to struggle a wee bit.’’
The Diamond One, raced and bred by the Dennis brothers, has drawn barrier 11 and will carry 2kg more than anyone else in the field but her last start in the Haunui Farm Classic gives an indication she should be right in the mix on Saturday.
She finished eighth, but just 4.3 lengths off Doncaster Mile bound Volkstok’n’barrell despite being galloped on.
‘‘It was a very good run with everything considered,’’ Anderton said.
She said the 6-year-old mare has come through the cut on the hind joint and has been working well.
‘‘I’m as happy as I can be with her so we just have to hope for a bit of luck on the day.’’
The Diamond One ($5) is second favourite behind the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsmantrained Charmont ($3.80).
Charmont, a lightly tried 4-year-old has a record of two wins form 13 starts, has been racing over 1200m and 1400m but she did win over a mile at three and was good enough to run third in the Oaks (2400m).
A last start winner in a rating 85 1400m premier at Trentham on March 19, Charmont will be partnered by in-form jockey Terry Moseley.
Another danger will be Group I performer Hayley Maree ($6) for Riverton trainer Kelvin Tyler and his apprentice Kevin Kalychurun.
Daniel Bothamley, who has been aboard Hayley Maree for her last four starts will ride The Diamond One but his choice is likely down to riding at 57 rather than 55kg.
Coulee, who beat a fresh up Hayley Maree at Riverton last Saturday, is a $6 chance for Wingatui trainers Brian and Shane Anderton.
Tyler also has a leading chance in the Seaton Family Memorial Hororata Gold Cup with topweight Timy Tyler ($5).
Race favourite Kaharau ($2.90) returns in a fresh state looking for his six wins in a row.
New Zealand Cup runner up Southern Sav ($14) will make his return from being galloped on at Trentham back on January 16 in the lead-up race to the Wellington Cup.