Andrew Carston believes Art De Triomphe’s (NZ) (Vadamos) best shot at Classic glory on her home track next month will be against her own sex.
The Riccarton-based trainer’s preference is to tackle the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) with his in-form daughter of Vadamos, who is on the third line of betting at $6 for the November 13 feature.
Art De Triomphe is currently a $14 chance in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), to be run a week earlier, but Carston would rather not take on the colts and geldings.
“I have to speak to the owners again, but I’m pretty confident she’ll run in the 1000 Guineas. There’s a few boys coming out of the woodwork and I want to keep her to her own sex,” he said.
“That’s definitely my preference and, at this stage, she’ll trial next Thursday at Ashburton and then go into the 1000 Guineas.”
A juvenile winner last season, Art De Triomphe was a resuming winner at Ashburton last month before she claimed the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m).
At her most recent appearance, she was a gallant runner-up in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) behind current 1000 Guineas favourite There You Go.
“It was a really good effort and nothing went to plan. She got caught wide and I thought she was probably entitled to run fifth,” Carston said.
“To stick on and run second was an outstanding performance. She’s bounced through it really well and had a relatively quiet week, but did a bit of fast work this morning so she’s right on track.”
Art De Triomphe has yet to run beyond 1400m, but Carston has no concerns about the filly coping with the extra ground in the Guineas.
“I’m pretty confident she will get a mile. I would like to ride her a bit quieter in the Guineas because she has a devastating turn of foot,” he said.
“She’s by Vadamos and her mother (Art Beat) won the Gr.3 Winter Cup at a mile so I’m pretty relaxed about that.”
Art De Triomphe is raced by Albert Bosma’s Go Racing syndication company, whose colours are also carried by older stablemate Hasabro (NZ) (Savabeel).
The six-year-old was transferred south to Carston’s stable when original trainer Stephen McKee announced his retirement from training and has won two of his three starts from his new quarters.
Hasabro successfully shouldered 60kg to victory on Saturday to earn an $8 quote for the Gr.2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) on November 10.
“It was a great result and I’m obviously very thankful to Go Racing for sending him my way. He’s high-class and he’s thriving down here,” Carston said.
“He’s a very happy horse and raced accordingly and I liked the way he finished the race off with the big weight. I know he didn’t do a lot of work in the run, but he was strong on the line.
“He’s up toward the top of the handicap for the Coupland’s Mile, which is a slight concern, but he’s had three runs down here and carried 58.5kg or more each time. He’s a big, strong horse and used to carrying weight.
“He has come through it really well and I’m as happy as I can be with both of my horses for the Group races.”
