Group One hope The Dirty Dee will spearhead a strong team at Trentham for Robbie Patterson and unlike a number of trainers, he’s unconcerned about the prospect of rain-affected ground on Saturday.
Father-and-son training partners Peter and Shaun McKay are taking a realistic approach to their prospects of further success when they return to their favourite track on the middle day of the Wellington Cup carnival.
Crouch and Donnybrook, from the Mike Breslin barn, and Kodiac Bear and Golden Ace, trained by the Gray partnership, all galloped boldly at Awapuni on Thursday morning.
Te Rapa visitor First Five delivered on his enormous potential when he gave trainer David Greene his first Group One success when taking out the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham.
All eyes and money were on Argo prior to the Gr.2 Levin Classic, with the world’s leading jockey James McDonald aboard the gelding, but it was La Dorada who scored top honours when returning to her brilliant best in the Trentham feature on Saturday.
Miss Jones showed plenty of promise in Australia, placing in six of her 10 starts for trainers Richard and Will Freedman, but she has found her groove since crossing the Tasman.
