Race Images Palmerston North
Unbeaten filly Hoofaloof will face the sternest test of her fledgling career at New Plymouth on Sunday.
The daughter of Jimmy Choux has done everything in fine style so far for trainers Keith and Gavin Opie and the father and son partnership will now raise the bar.
“She’s got to step up again, but she’s still improving and it was a big effort last time out after she was parked out wide,” Keith Opie said.
Hoofaloof was a trial winner at Te Awamutu in May before she was successful on debut at New Plymouth last month and then she again beat the older horses at Rotorua.
The three-year-old will now attempt to complete a hat-trick of wins when she steps out in the New Zealand Bloodstock Leasing & Financing 3YO, with apprentice Jasmine Fawcett retaining the ride.
“This race looks an ideal one and at this time of the year it’s a huge plus to get a three kilo claim,” Opie said.
Hoofaloof’s immediate future will be decided by her performance on Sunday.
“We’ll sit down and assess things,” Opie said. “She doesn’t carry a lot of weight and she’s still quite fragile.”
The filly has also yet to trial or race on anything other than rain-affected ground.
“We know she skips through the heavy tracks, but we’ve never tried her on firmer ground,” Opie said. – NZ Racing Desk.