Matamata trainer Jamie Richards has confirmed Miss Aotearoa ($5.50) and Cornflower Blue ($12) both remain on track for a tilt at the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm 48th New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 14.
The pair make up two of the top four runners in betting in early 1000 Guineas markets, despite Cornflower Blue being beaten into fourth behind Matchmaker in last Saturday’s Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m).
“I think Cornflower Blue just found it a bit firm down there (Riccarton),” Richards said.
“A number of runners that pulled up pretty scratchy in their action and I don’t think we were the only stable to do that.
“Hopefully we don’t run into that sort of firm track again down there through the carnival.
“She seems to be okay now and she’ll head to Ashburton for the Barnswood Farm Stakes (Gr.3, 1400m) on Sunday week and back around a corner and with a little bit of moisture in the track she should be a chance.”
Impressive last-start Gr.3 Hawke’s Bay Breeders’ Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) winner Miss Aotearoa will progress to the Guineas via the Gr.3 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa.
“She goes to the Soliloquy on the 24th and she will have an exhibition gallop at Matamata on Saturday,” Richards said.
“We’ve just spaced her runs a little bit and that seems to agree with her. She’s a lovely big filly that doesn’t carry a lot of extra condition yet, so we’re just running her every three or four or five weeks.
“From Te Rapa she’ll be going down to the 1000 Guineas, all going well. I think she’s going to appreciate the step-up to 1400m and then appreciate the step-up to 1600m again.”
