Race Images
Stablemates Francaletta, Deals In Heels and Coldplay are likely to take different paths after clashing in the Gr.2 NRM Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Francaletta will be out to complete a double after winning the Gr.3 Rich Hill Stud Taranaki Breeders Stakes (1400m) at Hawera last month, while Deals In Heels is also a last-start winner, having taken her record to five wins from seven starts when beating Galaxy Miss at Tauranga earlier this month.
On the other hand, Coldplay comes into Saturday’s race on the fresh side, having not raced since finishing unplaced in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings on September 23. She did, however, trial well at Cambridge recently when scoring over 935 metres.
“This is the race we’ve targeted for Deals In Heels and Francaletta for a while,” co-trainer Murray Baker said. “They could go out for a spell after this.
“Coldplay just couldn’t cope with the wet tracks in the spring and she’s doing well. She’ll go on to some of the good races.”
Coldplay has suffered worst of the trio of stablemates in the barrier draws for the Breeders Stakes, having landed 14. Deals In Heels has barrier 11 and Francaletta eight.
“She (Coldplay) has to have some luck from the draw. It’s going to make it tough for her,” Baker said.
Deals In Heels, the mount of Matt Cameron, would appreciate some easing of the ground, as is the case with Francaletta, who will be ridden by Michael Coleman. Johnathan Parkes has landed the ride on Coldplay.