Trish Dunell
Johnathan Parkes will ride in-form Hamilton filly Contessa Vanessa in Saturday week's Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham.
Co-trainer Graeme Rogerson confirmed Parkes would take over from Chris Johnson, who was aboard for last Saturday's Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) win at Ellerslie, but has plumped for last-start Gr.3 Lowland Stakes (2100m) winner Savvy Coup for the Oaks.
Contessa Vanessa has won five of her 17 starts and finished a luckless third to Savvy Coup in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni before winning the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie and finishing second in the Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) at the same track.
“She's come through Saturday's race in terrific order and she just keeps going from strength to strength. She's flying and I think she'll run super,” Rogerson said.