Rayas
Race Images Palmerston North
A minor setback delayed Rayas' first crack at black type company, but the hiccup could prove to be a blessing for the well-related filly.
The daughter of Rip Van Winkle was being set for the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes following a debut victory on her home track before illness forced Paul Shailer to withdraw her from the Hawke's Bay feature.
"She had an elevated temperature and a minor virus so we turned her out," the Levin trainer said.
"She came back into the stable last Friday after three weeks in the paddock and she looks great. There's plenty of upside to her and she was always going to be better with a bit more time."
Rayas did hold a nomination for the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com NZ 1000 Guineas, but she won't be heading south.
"There won't be enough time and Riccarton is testing enough for the three-year-old fillies without a problem along the way," Shailer said.
"It's a taxing trip and a lot of them don't come back from it."
The half-sister to the Australian stakes winner and Group performer Changing Eyes will instead chase higher honours closer to home.
"She'll run on Melbourne Cup day at Otaki in a fillies and mares' race over 1200 metres and then we'll target the Wellington Stakes and the Eulogy," Shailer said.
The Gr.3 Wellington Stakes will be run at Otaki on November 25 with the Gr.3 Lawn Master Eulogy Stakes run at Awapuni on December 10. – NZ Racing Desk.
The daughter of Rip Van Winkle was being set for the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes following a debut victory on her home track before illness forced Paul Shailer to withdraw her from the Hawke's Bay feature.
"She had an elevated temperature and a minor virus so we turned her out," the Levin trainer said.
"She came back into the stable last Friday after three weeks in the paddock and she looks great. There's plenty of upside to her and she was always going to be better with a bit more time."
Rayas did hold a nomination for the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com NZ 1000 Guineas, but she won't be heading south.
"There won't be enough time and Riccarton is testing enough for the three-year-old fillies without a problem along the way," Shailer said.
"It's a taxing trip and a lot of them don't come back from it."
The half-sister to the Australian stakes winner and Group performer Changing Eyes will instead chase higher honours closer to home.
"She'll run on Melbourne Cup day at Otaki in a fillies and mares' race over 1200 metres and then we'll target the Wellington Stakes and the Eulogy," Shailer said.
The Gr.3 Wellington Stakes will be run at Otaki on November 25 with the Gr.3 Lawn Master Eulogy Stakes run at Awapuni on December 10. – NZ Racing Desk.