Race Images Palmerston North
Another bold showing at Taupo will confirm Astor’s first crack at black type.
The lightly-raced Iffraaj filly broke her maiden in fine style last time out and she will bid for further success in Friday’s New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series Race.
“She’s looking good and we’re really pleased with her,” trainer Danica Guy said.
“It was a heavy and testing track at Hawke’s Bay and she didn’t enjoy it, but she got through it to get the job done.
“She’s in a really good space at the moment and there are a couple of other nice fillies in the race so we’ll get a good line on where we’re at. It’s a nice option for her.”
If Astor runs up to expectations, she will earn herself another trip south to Hastings.
“As long as she runs as well as we expect and she comes through the race without a problem, the Gold Trail Stakes will be her next target.
“She’s a lovely filly and I don’t think she’s a one trick pony – she’ll get over a bit more ground later on.”
Meanwhile, Guy has her fingers crossed for a scratching to get Galaxy Miss off the ballot for a shot at the Gr.2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa on Saturday.
“She’s very well, I can’t fault her condition,” she said. “There’s not a lot else around for her really. She’s not a real wet-tracker, but she would get away with it at Te Rapa.
“If she doesn’t get a run we don’t have a Plan B at this stage.” – NZ Racing Desk.