New Zealand’s darling of the turf, Orchestral, is set to cross the Tasman this week to tackle the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
The four-year-old daughter of Savabeel had a standout three-year-old term, winning five consecutive races, including the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), Group 2 Avondale Guineas and Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), before heading to Sydney, where she won the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and placed in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m).
She made her first public appearance this season at the Taupo trials in August, where she placed in her 1100m heat behind Captured By Love and Dream Of The Moon, before heading north to Ellerslie to have her first start as a four-year-old in an Open 1400m, where she finished eighth.
Roger James, who trains the mare in partnership with Robert Wellwood, was pleased with what he saw in her resuming run.
“I thought her performance was enormous up there. It’s fair to say that she was asked for a fair bit for her level of fitness,” he said.
“She came through it pretty well, but she has come forward the last week to 10 days.”
Orchestral had an exhibition gallop at Tauranga on Saturday to keep her up to the mark for her looming Melbourne trip, and James was pleased with her work.
“I am very happy,” he said. “I thought that was a sign that we are right on the button for where we want to be.
“All going well, she will be on a plane on Wednesday and run in the Toorak on Saturday.”
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