Midnight Gossip
Kenton Wright Race Images
Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley knows he is presenting Girl Of My Dreams and Midnight Gossip with formidable Group One challenges at Ellerslie on Saturday, but he believes both are capable of success.
Dual Group Three winner Girl Of My Dreams tackles the weight-for-age Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m), stepping up from a last-start Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) win under handicap conditions to facing proven Group One performers such as Volkstok'n'barrell, Stolen Dance, Authentic Paddy and Savaria.
"There's no doubt it's a big step up from what she won last start. but she's a mare in form. She's won her last two and Group One black type is important for her as a broodmare prospect moving forward," Tiley said.
"It was a huge run at New Plymouth and she's improved a lot with it as I thought she would. She's drawn well in barrier two and should get a good run from there. I'm looking forward to the race."
Tiley has opted to retain Stratford apprentice Dylan Turner, who has been aboard for Girl Of My Dream's last two wins, despite it being just his second ride in a Group One race.
"Dylan has ridden her well for us and it made sense now he knows her well and gets on well with her that we keep him on," Tiley said.
"We know it's not going to be easy. Volkstok'n'barrell is probably a step up above them as far as class goes, but she's a tough mare and she'll acquit herself well. When you have a mare in form like her then deserves her shot at a Group One.
"After this one, we'll freshen her up and have a shot at the [New Zealand Thoroughbred] Breeders' Stakes at Te Aroha and then go to the Travis Stakes at Te Rapa, which will be right up her alley."
Midnight Gossip earned her shot at Group One glory after a rousing 3 1/2-length debut win at Te Aroha last month.
"She's definitely improved. She was a little bit tardily away at Te Aroha and I've got no false illusions that this isn't a big step up from a midweek maiden because it is," Tiley said.
"But I've got a lot of time for this filly and she's shown me any amount of ability. Leith Innes was keen to stick with her too, which was encouraging. On her work this morning, she's going to be right in the deep end of it.
"She's nominated for the Manawatu Sires' [Produce Stakes] too, but we'll just take one step at a time with her."
Having multiple Group One runners on a day is nothing new to Tiley, who produced four runners in the 1998 Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes, but he admits he still gets excited about the big occasion.
"These are the races you love to win most of all and my two runners are both in good form," he said. - NZ Racing Desk.
Dual Group Three winner Girl Of My Dreams tackles the weight-for-age Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m), stepping up from a last-start Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) win under handicap conditions to facing proven Group One performers such as Volkstok'n'barrell, Stolen Dance, Authentic Paddy and Savaria.
"There's no doubt it's a big step up from what she won last start. but she's a mare in form. She's won her last two and Group One black type is important for her as a broodmare prospect moving forward," Tiley said.
"It was a huge run at New Plymouth and she's improved a lot with it as I thought she would. She's drawn well in barrier two and should get a good run from there. I'm looking forward to the race."
Tiley has opted to retain Stratford apprentice Dylan Turner, who has been aboard for Girl Of My Dream's last two wins, despite it being just his second ride in a Group One race.
"Dylan has ridden her well for us and it made sense now he knows her well and gets on well with her that we keep him on," Tiley said.
"We know it's not going to be easy. Volkstok'n'barrell is probably a step up above them as far as class goes, but she's a tough mare and she'll acquit herself well. When you have a mare in form like her then deserves her shot at a Group One.
"After this one, we'll freshen her up and have a shot at the [New Zealand Thoroughbred] Breeders' Stakes at Te Aroha and then go to the Travis Stakes at Te Rapa, which will be right up her alley."
Midnight Gossip earned her shot at Group One glory after a rousing 3 1/2-length debut win at Te Aroha last month.
"She's definitely improved. She was a little bit tardily away at Te Aroha and I've got no false illusions that this isn't a big step up from a midweek maiden because it is," Tiley said.
"But I've got a lot of time for this filly and she's shown me any amount of ability. Leith Innes was keen to stick with her too, which was encouraging. On her work this morning, she's going to be right in the deep end of it.
"She's nominated for the Manawatu Sires' [Produce Stakes] too, but we'll just take one step at a time with her."
Having multiple Group One runners on a day is nothing new to Tiley, who produced four runners in the 1998 Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes, but he admits he still gets excited about the big occasion.
"These are the races you love to win most of all and my two runners are both in good form," he said. - NZ Racing Desk.