Lance Robinson has a feature close to home in mind for Burnvue and Archerfield, and both horses will make their first bid towards a Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) on Saturday at Riccarton Park.
A rising nine-year-old, Burnvue has been a consistent campaigner for the stable with five wins to his credit, each coming on the rain-affected footing that he faces in the Greenwood Amberley Cup (1600m) this weekend.
“We’re expecting him to run really well, he gets his heavy track on Saturday which he’ll really appreciate,” Robinson said.
“He’s a year older, and he’s just taken a run or two to get back to his best. We feel that he’s well, and pretty right for this race if everything plays its part.
“He’d have to win on Saturday to go ahead to the Winter Cup, but we’ve put him in just to see how his form is between now and then.
“I’m fairly confident he’s come back good this time in and he’ll tell us, but if his form warrants it, we’ll be pushing on and that’s the path we’re leading too.”
Ashvin Goindasamy will partner the son of Redwood, while visiting hoop Kelly Myers has been booked aboard an in-form Archerfield in the Target Earthmoving Rating 75 (2000m).
The Ghibellines five-year-old recorded his fourth career success this preparation on a Soft 5, and the looming heavy surface poses little concern for Robinson.
“I’m very happy with the way he’s come up this year, he holds a Winter Cup nomination too,” he said.
“He doesn’t mind a bit of wet ground, and I think the 2000m will really suit him so he should run really well.”
Robinson will be strongly represented the Bain McCall Memorial Two-Year-Old (1000m) with first-starters Zoo Bear and Alleato joined by Ali Nell, who was a promising second behind Quintefeuille on debut in February.
“We’re really happy with her, she’s had a nice prep into this and has more experience than most of the others,” Robinson said.
“She hasn’t trialled this time in, but she’s done a lovely piece of work and will be running home really well.”
A son of Preferment out of stakes-performing mare Rikki Tikki Tavi, Zoo Bear was a comfortable trial winner at Ashburton in May in the hands of Robinson’s apprentice Kendra Bakker, who takes the ride on Saturday.
“I was very happy with his trial run, and I feel that he’s gone ahead since then too,” Robinson said.
“We just don’t know how all three will cope with the heavy track, but it’s a good chance to give them a 1000m two-year-old race on the grass before the spring.
“We’ll be able to get a good line on them after Saturday on how they are going, but I’ve got a lot of time for all three of them and they are going to make lovely three-year-olds.”
Vadamos mare Anneliese has been in consistent form on the polytrack at Riccarton of late, and a switch back to heavy conditions on turf is a positive ahead of the Sam Keenan – Tennis Coach Rating 65 (2000m).
“She loves a heavy track, her first attempt at 2000m but I think she’s been looking for that,” Robinson said.
“Her form has been excellent, and I think she’ll be very competitive on Saturday.”
Of Robinson’s remaining contenders, a formerly Danica Guy-trained runner in Suzuka will make his debut for the stable in the Cup Week Hospitality On Sale 26 June Rating 65 (1000m).
Robinson purchased the Satono Aladdin four-year-old on gavelhouse.com, who has placed in his sole attempt on a heavy surface.
“We’ve been really happy with him, he’s made lovely progress since being down with us and we’re still learning a bit about him,” he said.
“We’ll just run him on Saturday and see how he goes, but his work has been good since he’s arrived and he’s doing well.
“He’s a go-forward sort of horse that normally runs on speed, so with the three-kilo claim (Bakker), I expect him to be running on pace and see how that pans out."