Michael and Matthew Pitman have high hopes that Third Decree can go to the next level on her home turf on Wednesday.
The Riccarton trainers have settled on the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) as a gilt-edged opportunity for the mare to add winning black type to her imposing record.
The daughter of War Decree has won eight of her 18 starts, with one of her three runner-up finishes including a second in the Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m) over this course and distance in the autumn.
Third Decree was unplaced when resuming after she was caught three wide without cover and then bounced back to her best last month at Ashburton where she coasted to an open handicap win over 1200m.
“After her last run, we decided because of the weights that we would be better off having a crack at this race rather than the Stewards (Listed, 1200m),” Michael Pitman said.
“She would have got a bit of weight in that, whereas this is set weights and penalties and she’s on the minimum.
“She goes pretty well freshened, that’s why she hasn’t raced since Ashburton and she’s done well.”
To again be partnered by Kylie Williams, Third Decree will have the outside barrier to contend with, but the conditions of the race are firmly in her favour.
“She’d have to be our best of the day, she’s the highest rated horse in the race and some of those other horses around her would normally be giving her four or five kilos in a handicap,” Pitman said.
“She’s pretty well in at the weights, the only worry is obviously that she’s drawn 10 of 10.
“That’s for Kylie to work out, she knows the mare really well and has been on her in most of her wins and knows what she’s capable of.
“She came in and galloped her on Saturday morning with Mystic Park and they both worked really pleasingly.”
The stable will also take aim at the day’s other feature with lightweight contender Charbano in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m).
The son of Vespa will drop back to the minimum after lumping up to 60kg in recent appearances.
“It will be an uphill battle for him because it’s a very strong field, but he’s got no weight to carry and he’s been carrying plenty of late and drops to 53kg,” Pitman said.
“We quinellaed it one year with two horses (Final Reality, Benelli) that had been running around in the South Island with 58 and 59kg and any horse can win a nice race if they’ve got no weight to carry and he’s in that category.”
The winner of seven races, Charbano will be coming off a midfield finish at Wingatui earlier this month and improved underfoot conditions will also help his cause.
“He never fired a shot the other day, the track was just too heavy for him,” Pitman said.