Distance drop for mare
Group performer Promise To Reign will drop back in trip next time out.
‘‘We’re going to bypass the City of Auckland Cup and she’s going to run in the open 2000m race at Te Rapa,’’ said trainer Moira Murdoch, who prepares the mare with her daughter Kieran.
‘‘She’s had two 2400m races, and the last one was quite tough, and I don’t want to give her another one before the Auckland Cup.’’
Promise To Reign finished third in the Gr.3 Counties Cup
(2100m) and was runner-up in the
Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) before she was unplaced in the Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m) after being caught three wide without cover.
Murdoch said the daughter of Manhattan Rain will run in the Kaimai Stakes (2000m) at Matamata on February 24 following her Te Rapa outing.
Meanwhile, the stable will have two strong chances in Wednesday’s Pearl Series Race
(1200m) at Avondale on Wednesday.
Ipanema Girl and Pokuru Nugget will square off again after the former ran fifth and one place better than her stablemate when they clashed last time out at Ellerslie.
‘‘Ipanema Girl got to the line well and she’s just continuing to improve with time,’’ Murdoch said.
The Iffraaj filly was an Avondale course and distance winner two starts back, as was Pokuru Nugget who was caught three wide near the pace at Ellerslie at her most recent appearance.
‘‘They’re both doing well and I’m just hoping for a decent track,’’ Murdoch said. ‘‘They’re in the first race which helps.’’