Selica will contest Saturday’s Gr.1 Australasian Oaks. Photo: Natasha Morello/Racing Photos
Trainer Phillip Stokes is hoping the rain will continue to fall in Adelaide ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville.
He will contest the Group One feature with New Zealand-bred filly Selica (NZ) (Makfi) and he said she will appreciate the wet conditions.
“We might just have to see how much rain we get and how the track is playing on the day,” he said.
“If we get a lot of rain it just might play in our favour.
“She loves the soft going, so that won’t be a concern. We are really happy we are getting rain over there.”
The daughter of Makfi has had five starts this preparation, winning first-up over 1400m in February and was runner-up in the Gr.3 Schweppervescence Stakes (1800m) at Morphetville last start.
Stokes has been pleased with her progression this preparation and is hoping for a good showing from the filly on Saturday.
“Selica has had the right preparation for this, we have always targeted this race,” Stokes said.
“I am really hoping she is the one who can step up.”
Selica was initially trained in New Zealand by Cody Cole for whom she won a 800m trial as a juvenile before her sale to OTI Racing.
