La Diosa prepares to repel invaders
La Diosa is ready to take on the best that the North Island fillies can throw at her in the $ 300,000 NZ 1000 Guineas at Riccarton today.
The Matt and Mandy Browntrained filly has quickly become the benchmark for the sophomore fillies after following up a third in early September with victories in the Canterbury Belle Stakes and the listed 3- year- old Ashburton feature in October.
The daughter of So You Think really caught the eye with her stylish last- to- first victory over Heroic Valour at Ashburton, and was moved into favourite by the TAB bookmakers.
There was a chance La Diosa could have started in the 2000 Guineas last weekend, but co- trainer Matt Brown said the quality held up in the colts and geldings' feature.
“The owners wanted to wait and see if the field dropped away at all in the 2000 Guineas, but it didn't,” he said.
“It kept up pretty strong, so they made the decision to carry on for the 1000, so hopefully the weather holds and we don't get a wet track.”
The rain forecast for Wednesday never eventuated, and 6ml of water was put on the track on Wednesday night after 10 races on a firm track for the Coupland's Mile meeting.
Brown would prefer to see the track in the dead range, but persistent rain was forecast for yesterday before easing to showers today.
“We wouldn't mind a bit of rain so the track's not rock hard, but obviously we don't want it slow to heavy,” he said.
“That would be a bit of a concern because we're not 100% sure how she would handle it. Maybe she will but we'd rather not test that out in a group one race.”
La Diosa has thrived on the increasing distances in her three starts between 1000m- 1400m this campaign. Her second dam is The Grin, the winner of three races at 1600m, including two listed races. And there is no concern on the sire's side, with So You Think extending his range out to 3200m in the 2010 Melbourne Cup.
“She's given every indication that a mile plus would be right up her alley, so we're very happy in that regard.”
Draws are not a major concern with La Diosa's racing pattern, as she tends to settle near the rear before unleashing in the straight. She has drawn six for the Browns and jockey Racha Cuneen, who has paired with the filly for all three starts this season.
“She'll just go back and Racha will find a nice spot with her. Hopefully there'll be some pace on and she can have a run at them.”
The Browns were more than happy to give the 24- year- old apprentice a chance at group one glory.
“We couldn't take the guy off. He's done everything right and is really riding her beautifully. It would be pretty tough if we took him off, so we'll give him a chance and see how he goes.”
Cambridge jockey Danielle Johnson is confident Nymph Monte can give her a first win in the day’s other feature, the New Zealand Cup.
Johnson guided the Grant Nicholson- trained 5- year- old to a comfortable win in last Saturday’s Metropolitan Trophy ( 2500m) at Riccarton to ensure favouritism for today.
TAB bookmakers have made Nymph Monte a $ 2.20 favourite des- pite drawing out in barrier 17 in the wake of his Metropolitan win and Johnson was just as confident. “It was huge, his win,” she said. “He couldn’t have been any more impressive and I’m looking forward to the Cup on Saturday. If he turns up in the same form, he’s going to take some beating.
“He just keeps improving. From when I first rode him to getting back on him Saturday, you could just feel the difference – and he’s maturing as a racehorse, too. He was so dominant last weekend.” Weather showery, track fast