Robbie Patterson has already won twice as many Group and Listed races in 2023-24 as any other season in his career, and the New Plymouth trainer has three chances to add to that tally at Riccarton on Saturday.
Patterson’s 44 wins so far this season include six at black-type level.
Puntura strung together victories in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) and Group 3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m), while Mary Louise won the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m), One Bold Cat captured the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) and Contribute won the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m).
Patterson’s previous best black-type season was 2021-22 with three wins – all from former stable star Coventina Bay.
The first of Patterson’s black-type chances at Riccarton on Saturday is in-form mare The Hottie, who bookmakers rates a $4 favourite for the Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m).
The six-year-old daughter of Swiss Ace has been a five-time winner from her 14 career starts.
In her three most recent appearances, she was a winner over 1400m at Otaki in late February, a close third in the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on March 16, and a dominant winner over 1200m at Riccarton last Saturday.
“It was a really good win the other day,” Patterson said.
“We went into that race treating it kind of like a trial for this weekend, but she got the chocolates.
“She’s done well through the week and has tightened up from that run, which we expected she would. If she can bounce out of the gates and take up a similar handy position, there’s no reason why she can’t run another good race.”
The Hottie has had five starts over Saturday’s 1400m distance for three wins and two placings.
“I think 1400m is probably her pet distance,” Patterson said.
“She’s got a good turn of foot over that trip, which she’ll hopefully show again on Saturday.”
The Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) provides a shot at redemption for It’s Doris.
The Telperion filly was an impressive winner at Otaki on April 1, and she lined up as a highly respected contender in last Saturday’s Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m).
However, she was never a factor and finished a well-beaten 12th.
“She was drawn out and had a bit of a tough wide run, but I was still very disappointed with that performance,” Patterson said.
“She’d won her previous start very well and seemed to be going into that race in the right order.
“We just hope that we can put it down to the Heavy 8 track last week. It’s going to be better ground this week. She’ll probably roll forward and sit up near the pace, and we’ll be looking for an improved performance if last week’s run was just down to track conditions.”
Our Jumala heads into the Group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) with second placings to her name from both of her last two starts, including behind Apostrophe in the Group 3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) at Trentham two weeks ago.
“It was a good run at Trentham, but she’s drawn the outside gate here against a good field,” Patterson said.
“That’s going to make it tricky for her. We’ll just drop back and hope that we can get on the back of the right horse to bring us into it.
“She can certainly rattle home on her day, but she’s going to need all the luck from that draw.”
As well as having a runner in each of Saturday’s black-type features at Riccarton, Patterson will also saddle another four horses throughout the supporting card.
“I think Wisemen’s Diva should be a very nice chance in the maiden,” Patterson said.
“She ran home really strongly for second over 1200m last Saturday. Going up to 1400m should suit her, big time.
“Sinbin has been performing strongly around Trentham all through the summer and early autumn. It’s her first look around Riccarton, but I think she’ll be competitive as well if she brings some of that Trentham form.”
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