Eight Carat a timely option
Princess Rihanna will head back to familiar territory for her next appearance.
She put away a competitive field of older horses over 1400m at Ellerslie last time out and she will return there on Boxing Day for the Gr.2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m).
“We looked at the Eulogy Stakes at Awapuni this Saturday but we want to give her a little bit longer between races and Ellerslie will set her up better for the summer months,” said Andrew Scott, who trains the Showcasing filly with Lance O’Sullivan.
“We’ve had doubts about her running a mile and she’s not bred to, but as we know against their own sex and age group they often can.
“The way she ran out 1400m last time was very encouraging and she knows her way around Ellerslie so well.”
Stablemate Spring Heat will also run in the Eight Carat following her explosive performance last Saturday to win the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m).
“She’s improving and she pulled up very well,” Scott said. “We’ve always thought a lot of her.”
Meanwhile, the stable’s runners at Hastings on Thursday include the promising Tavistock three-year-old Aero De Paris in the Trinity Hill Mile (1600m). He was second on debut and then fifth at Ellerslie.
“He’s a good galloper who got caught wide last time and got a bit lost,” Scott said. “With that experience under his belt we’re hoping he bounces back, he’s pleased us in his work since.”
Jessie May (race four), Hello Sailor (race five) and Sound Of Music (race six) are also rated each way chances.
“Jessie May was okay last time and she’s improved while Hello Sailor has been going good races in strong fields,” Scott said. “Sound Of Music’s last trial was encouraging and she’s screaming out for a mile.” – NZ Racing Desk.
Debut winner Nirvana In Fire will chase a berth in the country’s richest race at his next appearance.
“He’s going to run on Boxing Day to give him that vital experience around Ellerslie and hopefully bank some dollars to sneak into the Karaka Million field,” cotrainer and part-owner Andrew Scott said.
Nirvana In Fire successfully followed up a trial win when he led all the way to score on debut at Pukekohe earlier this month.
Wait A Sec will be back in action early next month to continue his build-up toward the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m).
The staying feature is the seven-year- old’s autumn goal and, to that end, he will head to Trentham off a break to resume in the Gr.3 Tui – Backing a Winner Anniversary Handicap (1600m) on January 13.
“We’re looking to kick him off in the Anniversary at set weights and penalties,” said Grant Cullen, who trains the gelding with Guy Lowry.
“We’ll take it from there and see how the tracks are, he can handle one or two on the firmer ground.”
Wait A Sec’s resurgence in the last couple of seasons has been attributed to a changed training regime with Cullen’s Dannevirke property playing a major role.
“We work him at home and around the farm, he’s just a very happy horse,” he said.