Stablemates seek home track win

Stablemates Hello Sailor and Disturbance are big improvers for the $20,000 two-year-old race at Riccarton on Saturday.

Shane Kennedy said he and training partner Anna Furlong were happy with both horses’ condition but didn’t favour one over the other heading into the 1000m dash.

‘‘There’s them.’’

Both returned from breaks to finished third (Disturbance) and fifth (Hello Sailor) in the same race at Riccarton on April 2.

Disturbance had not raced for nine weeks and it was Hello Sailor’s first run for six weeks.

By United States sire Thewayyouare, Disturbance raced keenly early and rider Racha Cuneen had his whip knocked out of his hand at the 200m. Hello Sailor made up many lengths in the last 150m.

‘‘She covered a bit of extra ground and finished as good as any,’’ Kennedy said.

Hello Sailor jumped from the outside barrier of eight but on Saturday, is better drawn at four.

She and Disturbance chased home winner, La Diosa, who is not much between also lining up on Saturday. La Diosa has progressed favourably since her debut win for North Canterbury trainers Matt and Mandy Brown.

‘‘She’s definitely improved, taken a lot out of that race,’’ Matt said.

The Browns’ High Chaparral mare, Soubrettes, has drawn the outside gate of 18 in the Group I $200,000 Easter Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday.

She is coming off meritorious runs in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (third) and Westbury Classic (second).

Matt Brown said jockey Mark Du Plessis was delighted with Soubrettes’ training on Tuesday when she galloped with Emily Monk.

‘‘He said it was as good, if not better than before the Breeders’ Stakes . . . he was most impressed.’’

The Easter Stakes will be Soubrettes last start for the season. She could be spelled in the north.

Ascot Park trainer Sally McKay is starting Showemup in the twoyear-old race at Riccarton.

Central Districts jockey Darryl Bradley is back on Showemup after riding her to victory at Riverton on March 26.

The owners of the Showcasing filly have declined an offer to sell from Australia.