Indian Maid
Race Images Palmerston North
Quantum is chasing the bigger prize of Brendon Hawtin's two runners this weekend, but there is as much pressure on stablemate Indian Maid.
The Te Awamutu trainer will be at Ellerslie with Quantum, who will contest the Listed $50,000 Champagne Stakes, while his father, Keith (set to be back in a training partnership with his son by next season), will trek to Trentham with Indian Maid for the $20,000 Rat Tat Plate (1600m).
Indian Maid has looked promising in two starts with a debut second behind Mighty Me (who won again at Te Aroha midweek) over 1200 metres and a win over 1400 at Te Awamutu earlier this month, however the real pressure goes on her at Trentham.
On what Indian Maid has shown, she is a strong chance in the Trentham event, but Hawtin wants to see something special from her.
"I think she's a good filly and I'd like to take her to Brisbane, but she would have to win on Saturday and win it very well," said Hawtin.
"We had planned to take her down to Riccarton for the fillies' races but couldn't get a suitable rider and we also considered waiting for the three-year-old 1600 at Te Rapa next weekend, but this race fits in better for Brisbane.
"She needs to win at Trentham to boost her prize money to get in the races we want in Brisbane. If she does win well, we'll look at the traditional path to the Queensland Oaks with the Doomben Roses beforehand."
A couple of hours after Indian Maid races, Hawtin will be hoping to pick up his fourth black type win and he is confident he can do in with Quantum in the Champagne Stakes.
"Being out of a Pentire mare, the 1600 metres should be right up his alley," said Hawtin. "He's done everything right since his last run."
Quantum goes into the Champagne Stakes with a last-start second behind Astara (a rival again this weekend) at Ellerslie.
"He was a little stiff not to win last time," said Hawtin. "He was tardy away and gave them a head start. He finished it off really well.
"He'll probably have one more after this. He can go back for the Great Northern Foal Stakes then I'll give him a break and have him back for the Wanganui Guineas."- NZ Racing Desk.
The Te Awamutu trainer will be at Ellerslie with Quantum, who will contest the Listed $50,000 Champagne Stakes, while his father, Keith (set to be back in a training partnership with his son by next season), will trek to Trentham with Indian Maid for the $20,000 Rat Tat Plate (1600m).
Indian Maid has looked promising in two starts with a debut second behind Mighty Me (who won again at Te Aroha midweek) over 1200 metres and a win over 1400 at Te Awamutu earlier this month, however the real pressure goes on her at Trentham.
On what Indian Maid has shown, she is a strong chance in the Trentham event, but Hawtin wants to see something special from her.
"I think she's a good filly and I'd like to take her to Brisbane, but she would have to win on Saturday and win it very well," said Hawtin.
"We had planned to take her down to Riccarton for the fillies' races but couldn't get a suitable rider and we also considered waiting for the three-year-old 1600 at Te Rapa next weekend, but this race fits in better for Brisbane.
"She needs to win at Trentham to boost her prize money to get in the races we want in Brisbane. If she does win well, we'll look at the traditional path to the Queensland Oaks with the Doomben Roses beforehand."
A couple of hours after Indian Maid races, Hawtin will be hoping to pick up his fourth black type win and he is confident he can do in with Quantum in the Champagne Stakes.
"Being out of a Pentire mare, the 1600 metres should be right up his alley," said Hawtin. "He's done everything right since his last run."
Quantum goes into the Champagne Stakes with a last-start second behind Astara (a rival again this weekend) at Ellerslie.
"He was a little stiff not to win last time," said Hawtin. "He was tardy away and gave them a head start. He finished it off really well.
"He'll probably have one more after this. He can go back for the Great Northern Foal Stakes then I'll give him a break and have him back for the Wanganui Guineas."- NZ Racing Desk.