Shillelagh
Race Images Palmerston North
The connections of Shillelagh are confident she will make her mark at stakes level.
The daughter of Savabeel made an encouraging start to her career before a break and she is in fine fettle for her return to racing at New Plymouth on Saturday.
"She has done everything right and her work on Tuesday morning was super," said Jamie Richards, who prepares the four-year-old with Stephen Autridge. "We can't fault her condition.
"She's in a bit of a tricky spot in the ratings and in 75 company she'll get a big weight so we've gone for the 85 race – that looks a nice option for her at this stage."
To be ridden in the Mason Appliances Haier 1200 by Cameron Lammas, the patiently-handled Shillelagh was a first-up winner for breeder-owners Christopher and Susanna Grace a year ago before she was tuned out.
She returned last summer to win consecutive races at Wanganui and Awapuni and was given another respite after she finished runner-up at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.
"She's a black type mare for sure," Richards said. "We did have Brisbane in the back of our minds, but we'll probably give her three runs here instead and then put her out and come back for the spring."
The stable will also have strong prospects at New Plymouth with the in-form duo of Vinevale (Landmark Homes 1600) and Skyscraper (Pukekura Raceway Upcoming Events 1800) while they also have bright prospects in the juvenile event (NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race).
Gingernuts was runner-up behind stablemate Hall Of Fame at Pukekohe Park while Zip Zap, who is on the ballot, will be on debut.
"We might save Gingernuts for Hastings next week if Zip Zap looks like getting a start – she's a nice filly and goes alright," Richards said. – NZ Racing Desk.
The daughter of Savabeel made an encouraging start to her career before a break and she is in fine fettle for her return to racing at New Plymouth on Saturday.
"She has done everything right and her work on Tuesday morning was super," said Jamie Richards, who prepares the four-year-old with Stephen Autridge. "We can't fault her condition.
"She's in a bit of a tricky spot in the ratings and in 75 company she'll get a big weight so we've gone for the 85 race – that looks a nice option for her at this stage."
To be ridden in the Mason Appliances Haier 1200 by Cameron Lammas, the patiently-handled Shillelagh was a first-up winner for breeder-owners Christopher and Susanna Grace a year ago before she was tuned out.
She returned last summer to win consecutive races at Wanganui and Awapuni and was given another respite after she finished runner-up at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.
"She's a black type mare for sure," Richards said. "We did have Brisbane in the back of our minds, but we'll probably give her three runs here instead and then put her out and come back for the spring."
The stable will also have strong prospects at New Plymouth with the in-form duo of Vinevale (Landmark Homes 1600) and Skyscraper (Pukekura Raceway Upcoming Events 1800) while they also have bright prospects in the juvenile event (NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race).
Gingernuts was runner-up behind stablemate Hall Of Fame at Pukekohe Park while Zip Zap, who is on the ballot, will be on debut.
"We might save Gingernuts for Hastings next week if Zip Zap looks like getting a start – she's a nice filly and goes alright," Richards said. – NZ Racing Desk.
