Alarmist
Race Images Palmerston North
Dick and Chris Bothwell are leaving nothing to chance with Alarmist in the build-up toward the filly's grand final.
The Stratford trainers' focus is on the Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks and with that goal in mind the father and son combination have opted to stay closer to home for the three-year-old's next appearance.
"We did seriously think about going to Ellerslie for the Royal Stakes, but with the travelling in the hot weather we decided it might be too much to go up there," Chris Bothwell said.
"The main target is the Oaks so instead she's going to run in a Rating 65 mile at Stratford on New Year's Eve.
"She needs more ground, but a mile on her home track is a pretty testing one and then we'll back off her a bit before we get her ready for Trentham. Staying will be her forte."
A two-year-old winner last season, Alarmist was an eye-catching fourth last time out in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes and a form line that should see her go close to victory in the McDonald's Real Estate, Stratford Office, Holland Plate.
"We were absolutely rapt with her effort at Awapuni," Bothwell said. "She hit the line well after doing a lot of work.
"She's an angel to do anything with and she works like an out and out stayer." – NZ Racing Desk.
The Stratford trainers' focus is on the Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks and with that goal in mind the father and son combination have opted to stay closer to home for the three-year-old's next appearance.
"We did seriously think about going to Ellerslie for the Royal Stakes, but with the travelling in the hot weather we decided it might be too much to go up there," Chris Bothwell said.
"The main target is the Oaks so instead she's going to run in a Rating 65 mile at Stratford on New Year's Eve.
"She needs more ground, but a mile on her home track is a pretty testing one and then we'll back off her a bit before we get her ready for Trentham. Staying will be her forte."
A two-year-old winner last season, Alarmist was an eye-catching fourth last time out in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes and a form line that should see her go close to victory in the McDonald's Real Estate, Stratford Office, Holland Plate.
"We were absolutely rapt with her effort at Awapuni," Bothwell said. "She hit the line well after doing a lot of work.
"She's an angel to do anything with and she works like an out and out stayer." – NZ Racing Desk.