Racha Cuneen and La Diosa
Race Images Christchurch
Racha Cuneen is hoping to reward the faith of La Diosa's connections with a Group One victory.
The Canterbury apprentice has retained the mount on the top South Island filly in the gavelhouse.com NZ 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 12.
"It's been confirmed that I'll be riding her and it's a great opportunity for me," Cuneen said.
The 24-year-old is no stranger to Group One pressure having finished runner-up in last season's Telegraph aboard Miss Seton Sands.
Cuneen has guided the Mandy and Matt Brown-trained La Diosa to impressive Listed wins in the Canterbury Belle Stakes and the Barneswood Farm Stakes and he is confident the best is yet to come from the classic favourite.
"She's improving all the time and the further she goes the better she'll be," he said.
In the more immediate future, Cuneen has a handy book of rides at Gore on Friday.
"I'm on a few for Ellis Winsloe and they all look good chances, if I had to pick one out it would be Consolidate," he said.
Four runs back at Timaru he was successful aboard the Lucky Unicorn mare and more recently they have placed at Gore and Winton. They combine on Friday in the Longford Tavern & Falls Hotel Handicap.
Cuneen will also ride stablemates Irish Excuse (Thomas Green & Howl at the Moon Handicap), the resuming Accidental Offside (Super Liquor Gore & Heartland Hotel Handicap) and the last-start winner Knutquacker (NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race). – NZ Racing Desk.
The Canterbury apprentice has retained the mount on the top South Island filly in the gavelhouse.com NZ 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 12.
"It's been confirmed that I'll be riding her and it's a great opportunity for me," Cuneen said.
The 24-year-old is no stranger to Group One pressure having finished runner-up in last season's Telegraph aboard Miss Seton Sands.
Cuneen has guided the Mandy and Matt Brown-trained La Diosa to impressive Listed wins in the Canterbury Belle Stakes and the Barneswood Farm Stakes and he is confident the best is yet to come from the classic favourite.
"She's improving all the time and the further she goes the better she'll be," he said.
In the more immediate future, Cuneen has a handy book of rides at Gore on Friday.
"I'm on a few for Ellis Winsloe and they all look good chances, if I had to pick one out it would be Consolidate," he said.
Four runs back at Timaru he was successful aboard the Lucky Unicorn mare and more recently they have placed at Gore and Winton. They combine on Friday in the Longford Tavern & Falls Hotel Handicap.
Cuneen will also ride stablemates Irish Excuse (Thomas Green & Howl at the Moon Handicap), the resuming Accidental Offside (Super Liquor Gore & Heartland Hotel Handicap) and the last-start winner Knutquacker (NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race). – NZ Racing Desk.