Four New Zealand 1000 and 2000 Guineas hopefuls take their first step towards those feature races when they hit the track for the first time this season. The connections of 3yr-olds Turbulence (race 6), Confirmed Flight (first-starter, race 2), Letsbringiton (race 5) and Worthapenny (first-starter, race 5) will all be hoping their charges can emulate the dynamic performance of fellow Guineas contender The Precious One last month.
Wingatui trainer Claire Anderton unleashed the blueblood daughter of Darci Brahma and The Jewel in the most impressive of debuts in a maiden 1200m race at Oamaru.
"She’s come through the race well and I was pleased that she did everything right, and her manners at the gates were good.That was as pleasing as the way she won," Anderton said.
The Precious One will meet a much stronger rating 65 field over 1200m in race 7, including handy last-start winner Oamaru winner Bakela, Final Say and Rosaeflora.
But so impressive was her debut win The Precious One has been installed an early $1.90 fixed-odds favourite with bookmakers.
Turbulence returns to the races for the first time since she ran third in a useful field of 2yr-olds at Riverton in April, in race 6 today.
Rider Courtney Barnes expects the Brian and Shane Anderton-trained filly to be improved from that race and the break she has had since.
"Her run was pretty good. She just got lost a little bit down the straight, just being her first start as a 2yr-old," Barnes said.
"She has grown a little bit and matured as well. I would be expecting a good run from her."
Barnes partners Worthapenny, also from the White Robe Lodge stables, in her first start in race 5 today.
"She had quite a lot of speed in her jumpouts last year. She seems like a type that will jump and run and hopefully will be in behind the leaders."
The John and Karen Parsons-trained Letsbringiton, who also holds a 3yr-old classic nomination for New Zealand Cup week, steps out for her second start in the same race.
Johnson will ride the daughter of Sebring, who has had three trial runs for two wins and a second placing since her first start when she ran fifth in the same race Turbulence contested at Riverton. Barnes will also ride the 5yr-old Erins Babe, a handy chance in race 2, a 1200m maiden. The jockey has been able to keep a close eye on the horse’s stablemate, Confirmed Flight, who contests the same race and also holds a 1000 Guineas nomination.
"She has been working well — they have both been working together. She hasn’t had a start and could be a tad green, which would be her only worry."
Confirmed Flight will be ridden by the Andertons’ apprentice, Corey Campbell, who also rides Something’s Burning in the feature race, the South Otago Cup (1400m).
The competitive affair sees the race return of Flag The Groom, who clashes with Hayley Maree, Electronic Motion and Secret Power, among others.
— Jonny Turner, additional reporting NZ Racing Desk.
