First Serve
Race Images Christchurch
First Serve is expected to give her extensive support crew further cause for celebration when she steps out at Riccarton on Friday.
The three-year-old is unbeaten on the course with her only career defeat a runner-up finish behind the outstanding colt and dual Group One winner Xtravagant in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders' Stakes.
First Serve will contest the Mid-Winter Christmas Races June 25 Handicap with Samantha Wynne, who has ridden the filly in all three starts, to take the reins again.
"Sam went back to Ireland while she was serving a suspension and one of the first horses she rode when she got back was First Serve and she said she couldn't believe how much she had developed since Te Rapa," said Michael Pitman, who trains the daughter of Swiss Ace with his son Matthew.
"She's probably our best chance and Friday will dictate what we do – if she wins we'll look at other options.
"She is owned by the Pearl Fillies' Syndicate, which is made up of a lot of people from as far south as Otautau up to Auckland.
"We bought three fillies for $6000, $7000 and $10,000 and as First Serve, Queen Serene and Fade To Grey they've won four races from 14 starts and two Pearl Series races."
First Serve will be opposed on Friday by stablemate Night Nurse, who hasn't raced since February.
"She's a pretty good mare and she'll go a cheeky race and be doing her best work at the finish," Pitman said.
He also gave the High Chaparral filly Montoya Star a strong winning chance in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Rating 65.
"She's working really well and she's one of the many horses we think has the ability to get through to the cup carnival here," Pitman said.
"I've got no doubt that as an older horse she will get 2000 metres as well, she's got the pedigree - her mother was third in a Queensland Oaks." – NZ Racing Desk.
The three-year-old is unbeaten on the course with her only career defeat a runner-up finish behind the outstanding colt and dual Group One winner Xtravagant in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders' Stakes.
First Serve will contest the Mid-Winter Christmas Races June 25 Handicap with Samantha Wynne, who has ridden the filly in all three starts, to take the reins again.
"Sam went back to Ireland while she was serving a suspension and one of the first horses she rode when she got back was First Serve and she said she couldn't believe how much she had developed since Te Rapa," said Michael Pitman, who trains the daughter of Swiss Ace with his son Matthew.
"She's probably our best chance and Friday will dictate what we do – if she wins we'll look at other options.
"She is owned by the Pearl Fillies' Syndicate, which is made up of a lot of people from as far south as Otautau up to Auckland.
"We bought three fillies for $6000, $7000 and $10,000 and as First Serve, Queen Serene and Fade To Grey they've won four races from 14 starts and two Pearl Series races."
First Serve will be opposed on Friday by stablemate Night Nurse, who hasn't raced since February.
"She's a pretty good mare and she'll go a cheeky race and be doing her best work at the finish," Pitman said.
He also gave the High Chaparral filly Montoya Star a strong winning chance in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Rating 65.
"She's working really well and she's one of the many horses we think has the ability to get through to the cup carnival here," Pitman said.
"I've got no doubt that as an older horse she will get 2000 metres as well, she's got the pedigree - her mother was third in a Queensland Oaks." – NZ Racing Desk.