Robbie Patterson will have a trio of runners across two venues in Queensland on Saturday and he is expecting strong showings from all three.
The New Plymouth trainer will be represented in black type events at Eagle Farm by Nom De Plume and Puntura, while Contribute will step out in the Gatton Cup (2000m).
Nom De Plume was a sound last-start second over 1600m at Doomben and there is confidence in her ability to step up in distance and go one better in the Listed Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2137m).
“It was a really good run last time out and she is thriving. She is up to her favourite trip with a decent draw,” Patterson said.
“She can sit midfield from there and I can see her going a massive race on Saturday. I’ve never been as happy with a horse going into a race.”
Patterson said Nom De Plume was a chance to back-up in seven days’ time in the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast, although he is mindful of his longer-term domestic plans with the daughter of El Roca.
“There’s also the Grafton Cup (Listed, 2350m) as well if she goes really well, but I do need to get her in the paddock if she is to target the Waikato Cup (Gr.3, 2400m) and the City of Auckland Cup (now Gr.3, Queen Elizabeth II Cup, 2400m).
“She can’t carry on forever over here so we’ll just wait and see what happens at Eagle Farm first and hopefully she gets some Australian black-type.”
Samantha Collett will retain the ride on Nom De Plume while Mark Du Plessis has been booked to partner Puntura in the Listed Tattersall’s Mile (1600m).
The Vespa five-year-old finished well back on the course earlier this month, but Patterson is expecting a much bolder performance.
“We had an issue with the feed when I first got here and the horses were gorging on lucerne hay and their first couple of runs were terrible. I got their bloods done and they were out,” Patterson said.
“We kicked the lucerne for touch after that and they’re all working well now and Puntura is one of them.
“He trialled the other day at Deagon and he won over 1200m so I am expecting big improvement from him.”
Contribute was unplaced in her Australian debut before she came from the back of the field to finish third over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast.
“She looks one of my best for the weekend in the Gatton Cup, it’s a really nice race for her and will be pretty competitive with Michael Hellyer to ride her,” Patterson said.
On the home front, he will have five runners at Wanganui on Friday.
“Sniper’s Dream is a live chance, he’s a progressive horse and Conway O’Ceirin is a nice horse as well,” Patterson said.
“He has run second in a trial and I think they are my best two there.”
Sniper’s Dream was second at New Plymouth earlier this month and the Telperion three-year-old will attempt to go one better in the hands of apprentice Lemmy Douglas in the Mark Buckley Memorial Maiden (1400m).
Dial A Prayer four-year-old Conway O’Ceirin will also be ridden by Douglas when he debuts in the Carpet Maintenance & Cleaning Maiden (1200m).