Stephen Autridge has been well-represented during the winter period by bonny mare Caitlyns Wish, and she will be looking for a return to the winner’s circle in the Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua 1230 on Saturday.
The Belardo four-year-old had been a model of consistency through her preparation with three wins and a minor placing from five starts, before track conditions weren’t to suit at Te Rapa where she finished at the tail of the field behind a dominant Wewillrock.
“They ran two seconds quicker than when she won the start before, and she really appreciates rain on the day,” Autridge said.
“That’s what it’s looking like we’re getting on Saturday, so fingers crossed that will be the case for her.”
With her regular rider back in the saddle in Maria Sanson, Caitlyns Wish will take three kilograms off her 59.5kg impost, while last start Listed winner Casino Princess sits on top with 60kg.
“We’ve drawn one, so you would think she would end up in front on the fence. It shouldn’t be too concerning on the rail by race three, but she could always come out a couple if she has too,” Autridge said.
“This would’ve been a big weight rise, so we’re lucky to be claiming three.”
The mare will be joined by older stablemate Thunder in the open contest, who will drop back in distance with the impending rain also to be his preference.
“We only put him in because we knew it would be that heavy, it’ll be more like a 1400 or 1500,” Autridge said.
“He could be getting home well late.”
Back at his Matamata base, Autridge was pleased to welcome back talented fillies Still Bangon and Livid Sky ahead of their four-year-old campaigns.
Still Bangon picked up a well-deserved victory in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) in mid-December, before placing in the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) and the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m). Her preparation culminated with the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), where she finished back in the field.
A daughter of Proisir, Livid Sky also made a strong account of herself this term, placing in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1600m), Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) and Gr.2 Karyn & David Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m), while also finishing midfield in her grand final, the New Zealand Oaks.
“Still Bangon will trial at Te Rapa on August 5, and Livid Sky will be about a month later. They’ve both done really well spelling and look really good,” Autridge said.
“Looking back, 2400m may have been too far for them but they’d had a fairly hectic time and might have just been coming to the end of it in the Oaks.
“This time in, we’re not concentrating on getting to that distance for races anyway, they’ll be mile to 2000 horses I would think and hopefully they’ll come up in the spring.
“Sometimes you have to wait for the autumn, you’ve got to have the patience.”