Grylls after Breeders repeat
Craig Grylls is a Matamata man these days and would love a repeat in Saturday’s hometown feature.
Te Awamutu born and raised, the successful jockey has made Matamata home over recent years and got a special buzz when he won last year’s Matamata Breeders Stakes aboard Gold Rush.
‘‘It was good to win the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes on Gold Rush on my home track,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s the race all the locals like to win and I’d love to win it again this year.’’
Princess Rihanna is trained by Gold Rush’s trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott and takes strong credentials into the Group II race for 2-year-old fillies with Grylls confident he can maintain his unbeaten record on the filly.
‘‘She’s gone top races and her work has been good,’’ he said.
The filly’s last start fourth in the Karaka Million in the hands of Australian hoop Craig Williams was a good effort particularly as she was held up for a few strides in the straight.
On Tuesday at Matamata she had Grylls aboard when galloping with Nothin’ On Me ridden by Saturday’s jockey Michael McNab.
They got through their work in style with 1000m in 1:02.6 and the last 600m in a slick 35.5 seconds.
O’Sullivan and Scott also won the event with Satinka in 2007. They have a high opinion of Showcasing filly Princess Rihanna, a debut winner at Otaki with Grylls aboard before a fourth in the Eclipse Stakes ridden by Leith Innes and then her Karaka Million effort. Grylls’ only other ride on her brought a trial win.
Princess Rihanna, Nothin’ On Me and Miss Foxy Gal give the stable a three-pronged attack on Saturday’s race.
‘‘Princess Rihanna appears our best chance,’’ Scott said.