Well-performed mare Fall For Cindy (NZ) (Sacred Falls) will make a return trip to the Central Districts this weekend in a bid to deservedly turn her fortunes around.
The Pam Gerard representative will head south for Saturday’s Gr.3 intowin.co.nz Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2050m) at Wanganui where conditions are expected to suit the Waikato Stud-owned mare.
The Matamata trainer also has travel plans in place for stablemate Dubai Gold (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) to head further afield for the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 12.
Fall For Cindy came in the opposite direction for her current campaign after winning five times, including victory in the Gr.3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) for trainer John O’Shea.
Th daughter of Sacred Falls showed she is verging on success here with a game run for fifth behind Legarto in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1400m) and was luckless last time out when again fifth in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.
In between times, she was unsighted in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).
“The hard track at Auckland just didn’t suit her and we probably rode her the way wrong way, but settled back last time she was super, very unlucky not to have gone a lot closer in the Cuddle,” Gerard said.
“She likes a bit of rain around and it looks like they’ll get a bit. She has been very unlucky not to have won one here.
“She has got all the ability and she’s amazed me, she just keeps getting better and better and her work on Tuesday was outstanding.”
Gerard is also happy with last season’s Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) winner Pericles (NZ) (Rubick), who will run in Saturday’s Elson Park Handicap (1300m) at Ellerslie off the back of a midfield run in the Listed Aotearoa Classic (1600m) behind Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel).
“We had a bit of a hiccup, nothing major but it put us back a little bit and he’s back firing on all cylinders now,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dubai Gold has done well since her gallant second in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
“At the moment, we are hoping to go to Sydney and we’ll gallop her Saturday and Monday and check that she’s 100 percent right before we pay the late nom,” Gerard said.
“We’ve got everything in place as long as we are happy with her work.”