Promise To Reign
Race Images Palmerston North
Moira Murdoch is hoping for a regal result from an aptly-named filly in this Saturday's feature event at Trentham.
The Waiuku trainer will be represented by Promise To Reign in the Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks with confidence in the three-year-old's classic chances fuelled by solid performances in each of her last three appearances.
Promise To Reign won a maiden mile at Te Rapa in January and she has subsequently made an encouraging impact at black type level with runner-up finishes in both the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic and in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase.
"She's a very finely-made filly and she was never going to race as a two-year-old, even though she ran a couple of tidy trials," Murdoch said.
"She has developed a good deal and she's definitely bred to stay."
A daughter of Gr.1 Cox Plate runner-up Manhattan Rain out of a sister to Spanish Moon, a French Group One winner over 2400 metres, Promise To Reign will head south with stablemate Marky Mark, who is also raced by Brendan and Jo Lindsay.
Marky Mark will tackle the Gr.2 Go Racing Wellington Guineas and Murdoch said the three-year-old has benefitted from two recent outings.
"He's improved and looking really well. Dropping back to his own age group will be a big help as well."
Last season's Gr.1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes winner, Marky Mark was freshened after a disappointing trip to Melbourne in the spring and has finished fourth against older opposition in both his runs since resuming. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Waiuku trainer will be represented by Promise To Reign in the Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks with confidence in the three-year-old's classic chances fuelled by solid performances in each of her last three appearances.
Promise To Reign won a maiden mile at Te Rapa in January and she has subsequently made an encouraging impact at black type level with runner-up finishes in both the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic and in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase.
"She's a very finely-made filly and she was never going to race as a two-year-old, even though she ran a couple of tidy trials," Murdoch said.
"She has developed a good deal and she's definitely bred to stay."
A daughter of Gr.1 Cox Plate runner-up Manhattan Rain out of a sister to Spanish Moon, a French Group One winner over 2400 metres, Promise To Reign will head south with stablemate Marky Mark, who is also raced by Brendan and Jo Lindsay.
Marky Mark will tackle the Gr.2 Go Racing Wellington Guineas and Murdoch said the three-year-old has benefitted from two recent outings.
"He's improved and looking really well. Dropping back to his own age group will be a big help as well."
Last season's Gr.1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes winner, Marky Mark was freshened after a disappointing trip to Melbourne in the spring and has finished fourth against older opposition in both his runs since resuming. – NZ Racing Desk.
