Race Images Palmerston North
Fraser Auret is relaxed about Aide Memoire chasing back to back Group One wins some eight months apart.
The Marton trainer has the lightly-raced five-year-old back in work after a lengthy spell following her breakthrough success at the top level in the Captain Cook Stakes last December.
“She did jar up after the race, not too bad but just a bit scratchy,” he said. “We decided to tip her out and give her a really good break.
“She did about six weeks on the water walker and she’s been back in the stable for a while now. She’s doing well, I’m quite thrilled with her.”
Auret said Aide Memoire would be entered for the Group One events during the Hawke’s Bay carnival, although her participation isn’t guaranteed.
“She’s a very valuable mare and she is weather dependant. Often it can be wet for the first leg (the Tarzino Trophy) so we will definitely be looking at that.
“With jump-outs and trials and our own set-up here she wouldn’t have to race before then. We can go straight there - we won the Group One mile at Hastings with Julinsky Prince doing that.
“Aide Memoire just needs a bit of moisture around. She’s a tough horse and we can get her ready to rock and roll at home – a race like the Foxbridge Plate can take something out of them so we probably wouldn’t waste a run. We’ll get her to the Group One in the best possible order.”
Meanwhile, the afore-mentioned Julinsky Prince is due back in the stable any day.
“He’s in the twilight of his career so we gave him a good holiday,” Auret said. “We’ll play it by ear with him to see where we go.
“He’s been a fantastic horse so we’ll let him decide what the future holds. He’s been very special to us – he was our first two-year-old winner, my 100th winner and my first Group One winner.” – NZ Racing Desk.