Impressive three-year-old filly La Crique has had her immediate future confirmed as she gets set to tackle the boys at Ellerslie in both the Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas (2100m) followed by the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m).
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander met with owners John and Jan Cassin during the week to discuss the options available to the daughter of Rich Hill Stud stallion Vadamos, which included a possible Australian autumn campaign, with the decision taken to concentrate on the two New Zealand age-group features before most likely heading to the spelling paddock.
La Crique, who defeated Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner and Derby rival The Perfect Pink at Ellerslie before producing a dominant performance to take out the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham at her last run, has thrived following her return to her Matamata base.
“We were delighted how she performed at Wellington and how she has come through the race,” Katrina Alexander said.
“Her work has been very pleasing and she is taking the racing we have given her in her stride.
“I actually think the race at Ellerslie, where she fought back to beat The Perfect Pink, has really given her a shot of confidence and has taught her she has another gear when she gets in a dogfight like she did that day.
“With that in mind we sat down with her owners and had a really good discussion about the options open to her, which did include taking her to Australia.
“I have never been a fan of adding something on to a campaign and the sentiment was we would like to see her tackle the Derby here and then have a good spell before going to Australia at some stage of her four-year-old season.
“She will go to the Avondale Guineas on the 19th and then to the Derby a fortnight later before heading to the paddock for a spell.”
Alexander is hopeful that the weather will hold over the next few weeks as she feels her charge is a far better prospect on top of the ground as opposed to operating on a rain-affected surface.
“The worst she has been on is a slow track which she copped first up, but all of her jockeys have said she doesn’t really like it,” she said.
“The weather starts to get a little variable around now so a few more weeks of fine days will suit us as we work towards the Derby.
“The Derby field is starting to fall into place and we think she is definitely the type of filly who will get the distance as I see a lot of her dam in her and she won up to 2400m.”
La Crique is out of the five-race winning Dubai Destination mare, Destiny Cove who was raced by the Cassins and has produced the Vadamos filly along with her promising elder half-brother Bari.
La Crique is likely to be joined in the New Zealand Derby mix by her stablemate Te Toki, with the son of Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino also making good progress following a runner-up finish behind potential Derby rival Marchand over 1600m at his last start.
“Things went a little pear-shaped for Te Toki when we had to scratch him from the Karaka 3YO Classic on Karaka Million night,” Alexander said.
“That meant he went a month between runs so he really needed that race at Ellerslie last week.
“It was only a small field and while he got to lead, he wasn’t suited by that at all, so we were pleased to just get the race into him and move forward from it.
“He is a horse you have to keep on top off as he is such a good doer and he had a decent blow after that last race.
“I think we have him where we want him now and he is ready to go to the Avondale Guineas now.
“It is a shame that our two have to clash like that before the Derby, but that is just what happens sometimes.
“We are actually incredibly blessed to have two serious chances in a Group One feature out of a stable where we currently have just ten in work and normally about 14 at most.” – NZ Racing Desk
