Wexford Stables are hoping their purple patch of form can continue at Trentham on Saturday where they will line-up three runners in two of the feature events on the card.
Sassy Lass will start one of the best backed candidates in the Listed Lincoln Farms Marton Cup (2200m), while Waitak and Grail Seeker will tackle the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m).
Sassy Lass has gone from strength-to-strength in a lengthy campaign that has resulted in four wins from 12 starts since March last year and she heads to Trentham off a fast finishing second in the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) last month.
“Sassy Lass has been up a long time but she has been remarkable in how she has just improved all the way through,” O’Sullivan said.
“She has an amazing constitution and has taken everything in her stride without turning a hair.
“With a little more luck, her winning record would be even better and last time she was desperately unlucky when held up until late in the piece before flashing home to get beaten a nose.
“We have been very careful to take her along a race at a time and we won’t be doing anything different on Saturday.
“The Marton Cup looks a very nice race for her and although she does hold a nomination for the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) later in the month, we won’t be making any decisions on a start there until we see how she goes on Saturday and crucially, how she pulls up afterwards.”
O’Sullivan also believes both of his runners in the Telegraph are winning chances with the right run in transit, however, he cautions that the strength and depth of the field makes winning the race a difficult assignment.
“This would be the best Telegraph field we have seen in years, and you do question whether your runners are up to it,” he said.
“We believe they are, as both have worked up nicely and deserve to take their places in the race.
“Waitak has been getting better and better, his work has been good and is suited by the track and the way the race is normally run with the speed on up front.
“Grail Seeker is a mare we have been very patient with, and she is now developing into a very good horse that we hope to get long term rewards from.
“We are mindful of not over taxing her as she had a fairly busy season, so we have deliberately spaced her races.
“Her last trial was very good where she was finishing off nicely and as she enjoys the Trentham track, we think she can perform to expectations in a fresh state.” - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
