Rasa Lila
Race Images Palmerston North
Any success this week for Pencarrow Stud and their racing operation would be welcome, but a Group One victory would really boost the spirits of all concerned.
The Cambridge farm has been rocked by the deaths of prize broodmare Santagostino - the dam of the stakes performer Deliciano - and the multiple winner Belle Eclipse, whose older sister Silver Eclipse has been retired.
"It's very unfortunate, but these things happen," racing manager Garry Cossey said.
"Santagostino was a very good mare and Belle Eclipse sadly had a heart attack. Silver Eclipse was disappointing last time out, but she's a black type winner so she's a very valuable mare."
However, Pencarrow are approaching Saturday's Hawke's Bay meeting in an optimistic frame of mind with the Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie-trained Rasa Lila a leading chance in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic.
She ran third last time out when resuming in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate.
"Steven and Julia believe she has improved and that was to be expected," Cossey said. "We'll have no excuses condition-wise.
"The only question mark could be the track, but she's gone some good races on off ground – she was very unlucky when second behind Stolen Dance at Ellerslie (in the Gr.3 Cal Isuzu Stakes) last November.
"She also went a super race making late ground when fifth in the Rich Hill Mile on a day when they weren't coming from the back."
The stable will also be represented at the Waverley meeting on Thursday with Mopsy tipped as their best hope when she steps out in the FOMS Handicap.
"She should be a very good chance," Cossey said. "She was ordinary at Taupo, but she was much better at Te Rapa and she can handle an off track."
Provision will be first-up in the Summit Electrical Maiden and she has solid trial form – she was runner-up at Te Teko to subsequent debut winner Ferrando, who then ran fourth in the Listed Northland Breeders' Stakes. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Cambridge farm has been rocked by the deaths of prize broodmare Santagostino - the dam of the stakes performer Deliciano - and the multiple winner Belle Eclipse, whose older sister Silver Eclipse has been retired.
"It's very unfortunate, but these things happen," racing manager Garry Cossey said.
"Santagostino was a very good mare and Belle Eclipse sadly had a heart attack. Silver Eclipse was disappointing last time out, but she's a black type winner so she's a very valuable mare."
However, Pencarrow are approaching Saturday's Hawke's Bay meeting in an optimistic frame of mind with the Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie-trained Rasa Lila a leading chance in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic.
She ran third last time out when resuming in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate.
"Steven and Julia believe she has improved and that was to be expected," Cossey said. "We'll have no excuses condition-wise.
"The only question mark could be the track, but she's gone some good races on off ground – she was very unlucky when second behind Stolen Dance at Ellerslie (in the Gr.3 Cal Isuzu Stakes) last November.
"She also went a super race making late ground when fifth in the Rich Hill Mile on a day when they weren't coming from the back."
The stable will also be represented at the Waverley meeting on Thursday with Mopsy tipped as their best hope when she steps out in the FOMS Handicap.
"She should be a very good chance," Cossey said. "She was ordinary at Taupo, but she was much better at Te Rapa and she can handle an off track."
Provision will be first-up in the Summit Electrical Maiden and she has solid trial form – she was runner-up at Te Teko to subsequent debut winner Ferrando, who then ran fourth in the Listed Northland Breeders' Stakes. – NZ Racing Desk.