Dukedom
Trish Dunell
A day trip to Avondale this week has Lisa Allpress confident her New Zealand Derby hope Dukedom is on target for another Group One challenge.
The Wanganui-based jockey, who returns to riding at Te Rapa on Saturday after a 10-day suspension, flew north on Wednesday to partner the Steven Cole-trained three-year-old in an exhibition gallop.
"He had a good blow out over 1000 metres and he was nice and relaxed, we're all happy with him," Allpress said.
She rode the gelding into third in the Gr.2 Great Northern Guineas on New Year's Day before they beat subsequent stakes winners Son Of Maher and Rangipo in the Gr.1 Levin Classic at Trentham.
"He's by Bachelor Duke and they do perform on rain-affected ground, but he also went a cracking race the start before," Allpress said.
"He was strong to the line over a mile and the further they go the better he'll be."
Dukedom will run in Saturday week's Gr.2 Auckland Eye Avondale Guineas to complete his preparation for the Gr.1 BMW NZ Derby, in which he is a $14 chance.
Meanwhile, Allpress has secured a good book of rides at Te Rapa including Valley Girl in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes and Coldplay in the Gr.2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic.
"It's a step up for Valley Girl, but she's a very promising filly and her form is sound and Coldplay is another very good filly," she said.
"Obviously, I won the Eulogy Stakes on Coldplay and I'm looking forward to getting back on her. She's well-bred and that's half the battle."
By Savabeel, the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Coldplay is currently at $9 in the Gr.1 Wellfield NZ Oaks market while Valley Girl, a member of the Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs stable, is a $16 Oaks prospect and at $12 for the Derby. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Wanganui-based jockey, who returns to riding at Te Rapa on Saturday after a 10-day suspension, flew north on Wednesday to partner the Steven Cole-trained three-year-old in an exhibition gallop.
"He had a good blow out over 1000 metres and he was nice and relaxed, we're all happy with him," Allpress said.
She rode the gelding into third in the Gr.2 Great Northern Guineas on New Year's Day before they beat subsequent stakes winners Son Of Maher and Rangipo in the Gr.1 Levin Classic at Trentham.
"He's by Bachelor Duke and they do perform on rain-affected ground, but he also went a cracking race the start before," Allpress said.
"He was strong to the line over a mile and the further they go the better he'll be."
Dukedom will run in Saturday week's Gr.2 Auckland Eye Avondale Guineas to complete his preparation for the Gr.1 BMW NZ Derby, in which he is a $14 chance.
Meanwhile, Allpress has secured a good book of rides at Te Rapa including Valley Girl in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes and Coldplay in the Gr.2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic.
"It's a step up for Valley Girl, but she's a very promising filly and her form is sound and Coldplay is another very good filly," she said.
"Obviously, I won the Eulogy Stakes on Coldplay and I'm looking forward to getting back on her. She's well-bred and that's half the battle."
By Savabeel, the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Coldplay is currently at $9 in the Gr.1 Wellfield NZ Oaks market while Valley Girl, a member of the Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs stable, is a $16 Oaks prospect and at $12 for the Derby. – NZ Racing Desk.