And now it is up to Stradowan whether she joins the Leeston couple on their trip to Cambridge for the age-group championship on May 31.
The daughter of Grinfromeartoear was sitting in 17th place prior to last night's racing at Addington and Manawatu, and needs to win tomorrow's c2 and faster pace at Oamaru to sneak into the top 12 of the 4yr-old pacing mares division.
''If she got in, we'll go,'' Terry Chmiel said yesterday.
''The owners want to go. She's been racing pretty consistent.
''I know it's pretty tough up there [at Cambridge], but if she drew well over a mile, you never know, do you?''Stradowan has been a model of consistency in recent starts although her third placing behind Mighty Flying Mac at Addington on May 2 lacked her customary zip over the closing stages.
''Her last start was disappointing but she wasn't 100% so we'll put a line through that one,'' Chmiel said.
''She's a good bread-and-butter horse. She seems pretty well, but it's not a bad field so she needs a bit of luck.''
Chmiel, who will drive Stradowan as usual, is cautious of For The Ladies, who joins Stradowan on the 10m mark along with Bettor Rock On off 30m.
Delightful Party was set to be the emergency for the 4yr-old emerald, but the withdrawal of Australian visitor Guaranteed means he will be joining Oh Nova for the northern sojourn.
Oh Nova appears to be the Chmiels' brightest chance at Cambridge in the $100,000 group 1 mile at the end of the month, although she was under the weather when finishing second behind Kincaslough on Saturday.
''We took her blood on the Monday and she was quite crook, otherwise she would have raced this week.
''We had to give her a few days off and treat her. I'm pleased to find out she was crook so she had an excuse - hopefully, we get her right for up there.
''I think a mile will suit her - if she got a decent run, she'd be a show of running in the money.''
Dynamic Party has been one of the late-season finds for the Chmiels.
''He was going to the paddock for a wee break, but we just kept him in work to get in [to the Jewels]. The owner's keen to go, as they might not get another horse to go.''
The Chmiels gear up two other runners at Oamaru tomorrow.
Valmara (race 2) is running out of chances to measure up as a pacer after 10 winless starts and poor manners to go with it.
''She'll need to improve, otherwise she won't be here for long.
Innes Boyz, on the other hand, picked up a well-deserved maiden win at Ashburton on May 4, and Chmiel has been pleased by the 4yr-old's progression.
''I think he's got better - he'll be right there. Phil Williamson's ones [The Silver Fox and Jelly Bean] will be hard, I suppose, but he'll give a good account of himself.''
The husband-and-wife team are in their sixth season as a training partnership and have enjoyed their best season yet with 31 wins to their name. Their previous best was 27, set last season.
''We aimed for 30, so we might have to aim a wee bit higher - the team is going bloody good, actually. We just need to get a really good one now.''
