While distance may be a query for Island Life (NZ) (Vadamos) in Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m), the talented filly has given Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie every reason to attempt the million-dollar Classic.
Racing in the colours of Sir Peter Vela’s Pencarrow Stud, Island Life has done little wrong in her three-year-old season, placing behind Tuxedo in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) and Real Class in the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m).
The Oaks was always the long-term goal for Island Life, and a professional display on Champions Day to take out the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) sealed the deal.
“It was very exciting and after watching the race quite a few times, she actually did it quite easily,” Ritchie said. “Mick Dee (jockey) was pretty soft on her in the finish to be fair.
“She can be quite awkward and can get on the bit in her races, so it’s always been a race-by-race process with her. We entered her earlier on hoping that she would learn to settle, and she settled beautifully in the Sunline. They didn’t go that hard early, so it was really pleasing to see her do that without cover and finish off really well.
“Her recovery that day after the race was really quick and she pulled up very well. We’ve been very happy with her since, she’s eating well and is very, very bright, particularly this morning (Thursday) at the track.
“It’s just a matter of now getting her down there safely and at 100 percent.”
A stakes victory over 2100m bodes well for Saturday’s staying test, which will determine whether the daughter of Vadamos heads to the paddock or considers other options this campaign.
“It is a huge question mark over 2400m, she’s going to have to settle and relax well, but you’re only three once and she tries her heart out,” Ritchie said.
“We don’t have any plans after this and at this stage it’s the end of her prep, but she has come through the Sunline Vase very well and it would depend what she did on Saturday whether we go on to something else.”
The Matamata trainers are no strangers to success on the champagne turf and can’t wait to have a shot at the seven-figure stake, albeit while being wary of the hot-favourite Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn).
“It’s the biggest prize-money we’ve ever run for and it’s exciting to be racing for a million dollars, that’s for sure,” Ritchie said.
“We love going to Wellington, it’s been a very good track to us and we’ve had a lot of success down there so it’s great to be involved.
“Leica Lucy has been absolutely phenomenal in all of her starts so far and something would have to go pretty wrong for us to be able to beat her, but it’s a horse race and anything can happen. There are other promising fillies in there as well and they’ve all got to stay.”
Leica Lucy currently dominates the Oaks market at $1.50, with Myakkabelle (NZ) (War Decree) ($10) and Island Life ($14) her closest rivals.
Following Saturday’s showpiece, the stable will travel up the road to Tauherenikau where they will have three representatives at the Sunday meeting.
Three-year-old filly Sonata (NZ) (Charm Spirit) got on the board at Taupo last-start and will look for a repeat performance as a key hope in the Kuripuni Sports Bar and TAB (1400m).
“She bounced through that race, she could’ve lined up the following week,” Ritchie said.
“She’s a hard case little horse, she just needs to be left alone to find her rhythm, but we’ve been really happy with her so she should hopefully go close again.”
Shavasana (NZ) (Super Seth) narrowly missed claiming her maiden at the course in early February, and off a brief freshen-up, will take her place in the Liquorland Masterton/Matahiwi Estate (1000m).
“She’s gone really well, we gave her a little break after that with a week in the paddock and she’s come back extremely bright,” Ritchie said.
“Hopefully she can get away from the barriers a little bit better, it was her first time in blinkers last time. She’s definitely heading in the right direction so hopefully a win is close.”
Completing their trio is first-starter Powerofpersuasion (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns), a filly by Ten Sovereigns with plenty of trials experience under her belt heading into the Dinger Natural Stone (1400m).
“She’s going to be a nice staying filly, she’s got a lot to learn and we thought this was a nice soft option for her,” Ritchie said. “She’ll grow up a lot too with the trip away.
“It is a watch and see with her, but she is a beautiful type and hopefully she’ll be a nice filly in time.”
