In-form jockey Kylie Williams believes a pair of last-start winners represents her best chances of success at the Riverton fixture on Wednesday.
The popular Christchurch-based horsewoman will be looking to Zambezi Zipper in the Grant Horrell Contracting Handicap (2147m) and Rosy Clark in the Doug Horrell Contracting Handicap (1200m) for repeat performances.
Trained by Kelvin and Aimee Tyler, Zambezi Zipper produced a solid staying effort over 2200m at Wingatui at the end of last month and a similar effort from the Highly Recommended mare will see her a leading hope.
“She’s going well and is on her home track and it will be heavy so that will suit her as well,” Williams said.
The 43-year-old got the best out of Ghibellines’ daughter Rosy Clark for a most recent course and distance victory at the Easter meeting for Brian and Shane Anderton.
“She won that quite nicely and The Cluster looks another good show for me,” Williams said.
Also by Ghibellines and a stablemate of Rosy Clark, The Cluster lines up in the Ricki Egerton Dagging Handicap (1600m) off the back of a runner-up finish over 1335m at Gore where she didn’t help her chances with a tardy getaway.
Patriarca will make her southern debut in the Jenny Pulley Catering Handicap (1400m) from Ellis Winsloe’s stable and Williams wouldn’t be surprised if the Savabeel mare produced a bold fresh run.
“I think she has had a few soundness issues and Corey (Campbell) has been riding her at the jump-outs and said she’s done everything right,” she said.
“Ellis wouldn’t have her in if he wasn’t happy with her. She’s out of her grade, but that keeps the weight off her back and she might be one to watch first-up down here.”
Patriarca broke her maiden for Te Akau trainer Mark Walker at Matamata in January before she pulled up lame after she was unplaced at Tauherenikau and was subsequently spelled and relocated to Winsloe’s Gore operation.
Williams took her season’s tally to 45 wins at Riccarton on Saturday when she was successful aboard Lyn Prendergast’s Miss Tavi in the Great Autumn Handicap (2600m).
“She obviously stays well and has got the right attitude so it was great to get a winner on a good day of racing,” she said.
“Everything is going well and long may it continue, we all know what it’s like and one day can be a good one and the next not so much.
“As long as I don’t get suspended too many times and keep riding winners I won’t be complaining.”