The Victress has got the nod as Te Akau’s leading black-type chance at Riccarton on Saturday, but it might be an opposing stablemate who will lead the chase for higher honours later in the season.
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained daughter of Zousain will run in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) with About Last Night and Dream Of The Moon to also represent the stable.
Opie Bosson will be aboard The Victress, the winner of two of her four starts and she impressed with her first-up victory on the course at the end of last month.
“I’d be leaning her way, in saying that Dream Of The Moon performed up to a really good level as a two-year-old and she has had the experience down the chute,” Bergerson said.
“That will be a massive plus for her, but she’s still not there in the coat and has got a bit of an awkward barrier whereas The Victress can bounce from one.
“She usually shows good gate speed to be right up there and Dream Of The Moon will need a bit of luck so probably leaning The Victress’ way.
“About Last Night was more than game last time, so they are three nice chances.”
To be ridden by Warren Kennedy, About Last Night chased home The Victress last time out while Dream Of The Moon, the mount of Wiremu Pinn, has had two trials ahead of her return to competition.
All three hold nominations for the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).
“Whether The Victress and About Last Night get beyond that 1200m trip is still a bit of a query, they are short, sharp sprinting types of horses so we’ll wait and see,” Bergerson said.
“Dream Of The Moon is one we think will definitely step up in trip.”
The stable has also formed a strong opinion of Savabeel’s son Age Of Discovery.
“I’m really looking forward to the colt stepping out in race one, he has been held up by wet tracks up north and funnily enough there’s a bit of rain forecast for Riccarton,” Bergerson said.
“Fingers crossed, he can step out and it is hard for three-year-olds against older horses, even in maiden company, but he is one we really like.”
Vivacious and When Stars Align also give the team a strong hand in the NZB Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series Rating 65 (1200m).
“They are both going well and are two more really good chances for us,” Bergerson said.
Meanwhile, Campionessa will resume at Te Rapa on Sunday but there is an air of apprehension around the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) winner’s return.
“Her trials have been okay and we are mindful that last spring she never came up, so we tipped her out and she found form toward November and Christmas,” Bergerson said.
“That is playing on our minds a little bit, but in saying that we have got her as fit as we can to go the mile first-up.
“The claim will certainly hope and Ngakau (Hailey) is a more than capable young rider.”
Safely through Sunday with an encouraging performance, the focus will turn to Hastings.
“Hopefully, she can run well enough and the second leg (Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate, 1600m) is still an option,” Bergerson said.
“Potentially, she could instead go the Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m) and then the last leg (Group 1 Livamol Classic, 2040m).
“We’ll get through Sunday first and hopefully the track is reasonable and then we can make a plan.”
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