I’m expecting Suaza to be competitive in the Wellington Cup Prelude at Trentham Gardens today.
While she’s not at all well placed at the weights, it’s not the strongest Open Handicap field, by any means, and what’s more the race carries extra incentive in that the winner is guaranteed a start in Saturday’s $200,000 Wellington Cup.
I purchased Suaza for Nearco Stud Ltd last year. Since commencing racing under new ownership she’s had 5 starts for two thirds, two seconds and an unplaced run. She failed last time in the Dunstan Championship Final on New Year’s Day. Suaza had never raced on a slow track before, so we went into the race not knowing if it would suit her. It didn’t; the big mare floundered in the ground and was gone when the pressure went on at the top of the straight.
A much better guide to her true form is the run before where she pushed subsequent City of Auckland Cup winner, Singled Minded, to a long head over 2400m at Te Rapa.
Lisa Allpress rides Suaza for the first time today.
Suaza photographed at John Sargent's stable very recently. You can see that she is fit & hard for today's 2100m assignment.