Promising filly Bedtime Story (NZ) (Per Incanto) will get her opportunity at attaining black-type in next week’s Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) following her victory in the Cavallo Farm & Chris Rutten Bloodstock 3YO (1300m) at Otaki on Wednesday.
It was the third victory from five starts for the daughter of Per Incanto, having placed in her other two starts.
After jumping away fairly, Bedtime Story settled three back on the fence for jockey Kozzi Asano before finding herself in the trail with 500m to go after Revolt came off the markers to take up the coveted one-one position.
Turning for home, Asano navigated his charge three-wide where she entered a three-way duel with race favourite No Rain Ever (No Nay Never) and Revolt (NZ) (War Decree), with the latter looking the winner until rider Masa Hashizume was dislodged at the 50m mark and Bedtime Story went on to claim a head victory.
Both horse and rider were unharmed, with Hashizume going on to fulfil his riding obligations for the remainder of the card.
Trainers Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos were pleased with Bedtime Story’s performance and are looking forward to heading to the Wellington Guineas with her next week.
“It was good to get another win with her. You need a bit of luck every now and then,” Lowry said.
“Not only will she benefit from the run, she would have learnt a lot from today as well. With blinkers on for the first time she over-raced a bit, but other than that she was good.
“She will go on to the Wellington Guineas next Saturday.”
Stablemate Wewillrock (NZ) (El Roca) is also earmarked to head to Trentham next week to tackle the Listed Lincoln Farms Lightning Handicap (1200m) first-up following a pleasing exhibition gallop alongside Faraglioni (NZ) (El Roca) and Sindee (NZ) (Ardrossan) in-between races at Otaki on Wednesday.
“I was pleased with his hit-out today, he was just asked to keep up with them,” Lowry said. “He will head to the Lightning now, but he will possibly head back over to Australia at some stage.”
Meanwhile, Lowry will head to Ellerslie on Saturday in search of a better track for his three-win mare Candle (NZ) (Super Easy), who will tackle 1400m for the first time in the SNG Media 1400.
“I like her. She is a mare with plenty of ability,” he said. “She has had no luck (lately), it has been wet tracks or getting stopped in her tracks. When you ride them back you need a bit of luck. She is good enough on her day.
“That is the key (with going to Ellerslie), to get a decent track and to see whether she will go 1400m. If she does, it opens up a few avenues for next year.”
A day prior at Taupo, stablemate Rosalita (NZ) (Tivaci) will attempt to shed her bridesmaid tag in the DPA Chartered Accountants (1400m).
The daughter of Tivaci has placed in her four last outings and her connections are hoping she can break through for a maiden win this week.
“She is an honest filly and just needs a bit of luck from that draw (17),” Lowry said.