Rasa Lila
Race Images Palmerston North
Trainers Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie and owner-breeder Sir Peter Vela will chase their second combined Gr.2 Travis Stakes win at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Regular rider Leith Innes encouraged Ramsay and Ritchie to back-up Rasa Lila following her third placing in last Saturday's Gr.1 Easter Stakes.
"Leith was very keen for us to back her up. He was rapt in her run and so were we," said Ramsay. "I was told she ran the fastest last 600m of the day."
Rasa Lila was among the tailenders to the home turn in the Easter Stakes and weaved between runners with an eye catching late burst to finish third, just a head and a short neck from the winner, Sound Proposition.
Two starts earlier she was an easy winner of the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham when ridden for the first time by Innes, then she was a creditable sixth to Perfect Fit in the Gr.1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha.
Ramsay isn't concerned about Rasa Lila having three starts within the month and believes she is ready to step up to 2000 metres.
"She runs out a strong 1600m and she has won over 2100m," said Ramsay. "We've won the race before, with Dolmabache a few years ago, and it would be good to win it again."
Rasa Lila has won six of 25 starts and a Group Two victory would significantly enhance the residual value of the Darci Brahma mare.
"This will be her last run this campaign – she's been up a while – and it would be good to go out with a win," said Ramsay. "She should go on with it next season." – NZ Racing Desk.
Regular rider Leith Innes encouraged Ramsay and Ritchie to back-up Rasa Lila following her third placing in last Saturday's Gr.1 Easter Stakes.
"Leith was very keen for us to back her up. He was rapt in her run and so were we," said Ramsay. "I was told she ran the fastest last 600m of the day."
Rasa Lila was among the tailenders to the home turn in the Easter Stakes and weaved between runners with an eye catching late burst to finish third, just a head and a short neck from the winner, Sound Proposition.
Two starts earlier she was an easy winner of the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham when ridden for the first time by Innes, then she was a creditable sixth to Perfect Fit in the Gr.1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha.
Ramsay isn't concerned about Rasa Lila having three starts within the month and believes she is ready to step up to 2000 metres.
"She runs out a strong 1600m and she has won over 2100m," said Ramsay. "We've won the race before, with Dolmabache a few years ago, and it would be good to win it again."
Rasa Lila has won six of 25 starts and a Group Two victory would significantly enhance the residual value of the Darci Brahma mare.
"This will be her last run this campaign – she's been up a while – and it would be good to go out with a win," said Ramsay. "She should go on with it next season." – NZ Racing Desk.