Southern hopes of success on New Zealand Oaks day at Trentham tomorrow rest with a quartet of Canterbury raiders.
Though it is a small turnout of southerners, there is quality among them as all have group and listed races in their sights. Zig Wig, from Nick Wigley’s Rangiora stable, shoots for group 1 glory in the New Zealand Oaks.
While most of her rivals have been battling each other in the traditional Oaks lead-ups such as the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic and the Lowland Stakes, the Zacinto filly will be stepping up to open 3yr-old company for the first time.
She comes into contention after wins at 1600m and 2100m in rated company in her last two South Island starts, and since Wigley added blinkers to her racing gear. Alex Cowan’s gun Ashburton sprinter, Signify, returns to Trentham for first time since winning the Telegraph last month.
He he runs in the Lightning Handicap. After the Telegraph the 5yr-old had two unplaced runs in Waikato sprint features. Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston’s charges, Pretty Good Excuse and What Choux Want, also line up in the hope of earning black type for their pedigree pages.
Both come off what Carston described as luckless recent runs but he was pleased with their work before trekking to Wellington.
"I am very happy with them. Their work on a slow to heavy track was excellent."
Pretty Good Excuse starts in the Cuddle Stakes, but to win, she and jockey Alysha Collett must overcome barrier 16.
"I’m obviously not too happy about the draw but there is a long run down the back. She’s an on-speed runner, so she can’t get in too much trouble from out there."
Carston would dearly love Wellington Guineas contender What Choux Want to have a few things go her way.
"Since her win at Waikouaiti she has had no luck — she hasn’t seen the fence. She has been three wide every run."
- Jonny Turner