Wexford trio out to carry on proud record

Princess Rihanna will anchor a threepronged attack on today’s Matamata Breeders’ Stakes ( 1200m) for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, whose Wexford Stables has a secondto- none record in the race.

Success for any of the trio would make it six wins in the race for Wexford Stables, which produced Ma Chiquita to win in 1985, Morar in 1990 and Tristalove in 1993 under Dave and Paul O’Sullivan, then Satinka in 2007 and Gold Rush last year in the care of O’Sullivan and Scott.

O’Sullivan, who won the race as a jockey on Ma Chiquita, Morar, Tristalove, Phillipa Rush ( 1989) and Flying Babe ( 2001) and as a partowner of Satinka and Gold Rush, had no hesitation in declaring Ma Chiquita as his favourite winner of the twoyear- old fillies feature.

“Definitely Ma Chiquita. But that’s going back a few years now to the 80s. She was a pretty special filly,” he said.

Ma Chiquita maintained an unbeaten record when she won the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes at her third start, the first of six stakes wins which included the group one George Main Stakes in Sydney in 1986.

Princess Rihanna, Miss Foxy Gal and Nothin’ On Me have much to do to equal Ma Chiquita’s feats but O’Sullivan has a high opinion of Showcasing filly Princess Rihanna, a debut winner at Otaki before fourth placings in the Eclipse Stakes ( 1200m) and $ 1 million Karaka Million ( 1200m), both at Ellerslie.

“Princess Rihanna i s our best chance. It was certainly a good run in the Karaka Million,” O’Sullivan said.

“She got held up for a few strides but I don’t know whether that cost her running third or not. We’ve set her for this race. It’s her grand final.”

O’Sullivan, who was in Melbourne inspecting yearlings, described his other pair as “unknowns at this level” but he was optimistic gear changes could spark both. Blinkers go on Miss Foxy Gal, while Nothin’ On Me will race in side winkers.

Among eight entries for the meeting, O’Sullivan and Scott will produce Summer Passage in the Reid & Harrison Slipper ( 1200m) and Gentil Tonton in the Kaimai Stakes ( 2000m). The cream of the nation’s greyhound talent will be involved in cut- throat chasing action at the Manukau Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

At stake are prized final field positions for next Sunday’s two group one events — $ 80,000 Plaster Board Auckland Cup ( 527m) and the $ 25,000 Railway Sprint ( 318m).

A finish in the first t wo heat placings is required to book a return for the rich finals.

The classy Karen Walsh prepared Thrilling Boris at $ 3 is the early Auckland Cup futures favourite.

His recent efforts have been moderate by his high standards however the dual group one winner commands total respect in the first cup heat ( race 7).

Walsh has Timmy Trumpet ($ 5.50) absolutely flying at the moment and he owns solid looking claims in his heat ( race 9).

Greyhounds from the potent Dave and Jean Fahey kennels demand total respect at this level. They are returning with last year’s cup runnerup Kava Blu ($ 12) who has drawn ideally in the ace- trap ( race 7).

They also have the recent strong Addington 520m winner He’s All Power ($ 5) engaged ( race 8).

The pacey New Zealand Cup runner- up Zipping Jordan ($ 12) i s travelling up from Christchurch with Callum Weir ( race 10).

It is his kennelmate, the slippery record breaking Swimming Goat ($ 3.50) who will attract immense interest in his Railway heat ( race 5).

The Walsh trained group t wo 305m winner My Girl Chloe ($ 3.50) secures the one- trap for her heat ( race 3).

The Faheys have elected to line up their NZ Cup winner American Warrior ($ 6) in the Railway heats ( race 6). He strongly won his only previous Manukau 318m sprint.

The Hatrick 305m track record holder Allegro Gun ($ 8) will spearhead a strong Lisa Cole prepared assault on the Railway heats ( race 4). Kennelmate Allegro Lass ($ 10) i s a proven high grade sprinter ( race 3).

Local conditioner Ben Craik has the sharp sprinter Simple And Plain ($ 14) resuming from a spell ( race 5). He also has the powerful chaser Von Trap ($ 26) exiting from the ace trap ( race 6).

Denis Schofield trained Nangar Star to Railway victory last year and his leading prospect for a repeat here is the consistent Eva Diva ($ 21, race 6).