The Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) holds fond memories for Te Akau Racing in recent years, having won two of the last four editions of the race, and they will be looking to add to that tally on Saturday.
They will be represented in the Trentham feature by Mazzucato, My Lips Are Sealed, and Vivacious.
The Fortuna Syndicate-raced Vivacious broke through for her maiden win at Te Aroha last start after placing on debut at the Waikato track last month, and heads the market at $5 alongside the Chrissy Bambry-trained Chantilly Lace.
Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson hold a high opinion of Vivacious and they believe she is up to the task of securing black-type this weekend.
“Vivacious is one we have always liked and it was good to see her get a result last time,” Bergerson said.
“She is very lightly raced still and whether that counts against her I don’t know, and the barrier draw (12) is a bit niggly, so we will just have to leave it up to Parkesy (Johnathan Parkes, jockey) and see how the pattern plays and go from there.
“We are leaning towards her being the strongest of the three. Going forward we think she is pretty exciting and is one to watch over summer.”
Tivaci filly Mazzucato will make her first North Island appearance of the season on Saturday, having campaigned in Canterbury over spring, where she picked up two victories, including last start at Riccarton over 1400m.
“Mazzucato went south for a Guineas campaign and was disappointing. We had a throw at the stumps at the three-year-old 1400m race on the middle day and she was super,” Bergerson said.
“If she ran up to that performance, I am sure she can be in it. She is a bit of an enigma. She is a bit naughty in the barriers and tends to still do a few things wrong.
“She has stayed down at our Riccarton base and Hunter (Durrant, Riccarton stable foreman) has been happy with the way she has come through that run and her work leading into Saturday.”
Te Akau’s final representative in the race will be My Lips Are Sealed, who will be ridden by Joe Kamaruddin from gate eight.
“I thought My Lips Are Sealed went a great race at Wanganui (for fourth last start). It was a pretty breakneck speed,” Bergerson said.
“She has travelled back up to Matamata and has done really well since the race. Joe knows her really well and hopefully we can get a bit of cover. It would be nice to see her relax, she can tend to overdo it at times, but if she relaxes I am sure she can see out the mile and run a nice race.”