Alarmist
Race Images Palmerston North
Dick and Chris Bothwell have only one reservation about their promising mare's chances of making a successful fresh start at New Plymouth on Friday.
Angelica Rox will resume in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race after an enforced break since weighing in at Te Rapa in October behind Slice Of Cake, who ran fifth in the Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas in his only subsequent appearance.
"She put her back out the start before at Hawera when she all but fell and she wasn't quite 100 percent at Te Rapa so we put her out for a bit of a break," said Dick Bothwell, who prepares the mare with his son Chris.
"She's very forward, but I don't think the track will really suit her. It's quite tight with the false rail out and she's a big mare, but we didn't want travel her first-up - we rate her pretty highly."
Angelica Rox, who has a win and five placings from her nine starts, will be assisted by the one kilo claim of apprentice Anna Jones.
The stable are also happy with the recent progress of their Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks candidate Alarmist.
Fourth in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes prior to Christmas, she has been unplaced in two runs over a mile since but both times has hit the line well.
"She's never had a decent draw in her life and all she wants is more ground," Bothwell said.
They now have their fingers crossed that Alarmist can gain a berth in the age group feature at Te Rapa on Saturday week.
"We're just hoping she can get a start in the Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic, she'll stay all day," Bothwell said. – NZ Racing Desk.
Angelica Rox will resume in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race after an enforced break since weighing in at Te Rapa in October behind Slice Of Cake, who ran fifth in the Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas in his only subsequent appearance.
"She put her back out the start before at Hawera when she all but fell and she wasn't quite 100 percent at Te Rapa so we put her out for a bit of a break," said Dick Bothwell, who prepares the mare with his son Chris.
"She's very forward, but I don't think the track will really suit her. It's quite tight with the false rail out and she's a big mare, but we didn't want travel her first-up - we rate her pretty highly."
Angelica Rox, who has a win and five placings from her nine starts, will be assisted by the one kilo claim of apprentice Anna Jones.
The stable are also happy with the recent progress of their Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks candidate Alarmist.
Fourth in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes prior to Christmas, she has been unplaced in two runs over a mile since but both times has hit the line well.
"She's never had a decent draw in her life and all she wants is more ground," Bothwell said.
They now have their fingers crossed that Alarmist can gain a berth in the age group feature at Te Rapa on Saturday week.
"We're just hoping she can get a start in the Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic, she'll stay all day," Bothwell said. – NZ Racing Desk.