Check out the stride on Quintessential at the business end of the Desert Gold Stakes-Gr.3 - photo by Race Images, Palmerston North
I’m excited about racing tomorrow at Te Rapa; especially with two runners I manage – Quintessential and Suaza – stepping out on what should be perfect footing.
For both we will get a true measure of where they’re at.
We know Quintessential is good; very good – she proved that without doubt with her breath-taking final sprint to grab the honours in the Group Three Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) two weeks ago at Trentham Gardens.
It was a big step up for Quintessential and the task ahead of her in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic-Gr.2 (2000m) is a step up again. She’s got the likes of Planet Rock and Zurella to contend with this time and the chances certainly don’t end there.
While Quintessential is definitely a year away from being anywhere near fully matured, she keeps surprising us. She has a stride like racehorse owners dream about and a will to win to match.
I watched the filly work at the Matamata track on Tuesday morning. She is very bright and worked accordingly.
I’m expecting Suaza to be rewarded with an overdue win in the Rating 75, 2400m tomorrow. She worked on Tuesday morning at 4.30am (if you please!) and her work was terrific.
This mare is rock hard fit. She is no Empire Rose (though nearly as big!), but like Empire Rose will stay all day. One certainty about tomorrow is that she will get the 2400m. If we can make the Auckland Cup field I’m very confident she’ll get the 3200m.
Her draw is awful tomorrow and because she doesn’t have a sprint on her, she will need to get rolling at the right time.
Anyway, it’s a privilege to be involved with two key runners tomorrow and I’m sure they’ll both give a great sight.