Goldie’s Chance (NZ) (Iffraaji) was luckless at her latest appearance and a return to her home track on Saturday will present her with the ideal stage to turn her fortunes around.
The daughter of Iffraaj will head a two-pronged attack on the Listed Speight’s Timaru Stakes (1200m) for trainer Anna Furlong with former northerner Tanzanite Rose (NZ) (Burgundy) also in contention.
Goldie’s Chance was runner-up on the course three runs back in an open handicap and then finished a sound third in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) before she headed to Wingatui on Boxing Day.
The patiently handled five-year-old jumped awkwardly before striking further trouble in the running and regathered herself to work home for fourth.
“It was a sticky watch, but she wound up nicely and hit the line well,” Furlong said.
“Hopefully we get a bit more in her favour this time and she’s in great order.”
Goldie’s Chance has drawn the inside gate and will be reunited with Tina Comignaghi, who has previously won on the mare.
They get the nod from Furlong as her best hope in the event, although Tanzanite Rose can be a player if things go her way from barrier four.
“She is best ridden back, even when she gets a good draw you can’t really use it with her and she has to be ridden cold,” she said.
“She is a lovely mare, it’s just her style and it would have been ideal to draw out and then run home.”
Formerly trained by Robbie Patterson, Tanzanite Rose got home strongly for third last time out after twice being held up for a run.
“She was unlucky at Kurow and had been huge the start before for fourth in the Breeders’ Stakes,” Furlong said.
Diego Montes de Oca will partner the daughter of Burgundy, whose is a five-time winner.
Furlong will also have the in-form pair of Tommy Shelby (NZ) (Tivaci) and Quintabelle (NZ) (Embellish) in the ODT Southern Mile Qualifier Rating 75 (1600m).
The former has been untested to win his last two starts while Quintabelle also bolted in at her most recent appearance.
“Tommy Shelby has really cottoned on to it and a couple of good draws have helped him to not get so far back,” Furlong said.
“He was pretty explosive last start and is on the back-up to try and get some more points for the ODT Final.
“Quintabelle has always showed plenty and was pretty phenomenal coming from so far back last time, it’s the same with her to get some more points for that final.”
The stable’s representation is completed by the genuine Iffididit (NZ) (Iffraaj) in the Woodbourne Tavern & Motels Bottle-O Renwick Marlborough Cup (2000m) and Second Chance (NZ) (Ghibellines) in the Inglewood Stud at Karaka 2025 (1400m).
“Iffididit is against a nice line-up stepping into the big company, but he tries really hard and he’ll appreciate coming back from 2200 to 2000m,” Furlong said.
Second Chance was a debut winner at Ashburton last month before her manners let her down when unplaced at Riccarton.
“She panicked and over-raced badly so hopefully she can get one off and get a nicer run with the ear covers on to help her relax, she’s inexperienced and needs to learn her craft,” Furlong said.