Smart filly Oratia Beauty went close to a major black-type credit last time out at Ellerslie and will get the opportunity to take care of unfinished business on the course at the next time of asking.
A genuine daughter of Too Darn Hot, she rallied bravely under rider Matt Cartwright to finish runner-up in Saturday’s Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m).
That effort continued the encouraging start she has made to her career with a win and a quartet of placings from six appearances.
“She jumped really well and it was a super ride by Matt, it was a great run,” trainer Kyie Hoskin said.
“Unfortunately, that other horse (Pulsatilla) got the rails run and went past us, but I thought our filly was very honest.
“She’s really bright and did a bit of light work on Monday morning. She’s nice and sound and comes through her races well, which is always a big help.”
Hoskin is now tossing up between two feature race options at northern headquarters over the holiday period.
“We’re looking at the Eight Carat (Gr.2, 1600m) on Boxing Day and we have also thought about the 2000m race (Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes) on New Year’s Day,” she said.
“It’s still up in the air and I have spoken to Matt and he thought maybe the mile might be better, but he also didn’t think she would have trouble seeing out 2000m.”
While Hoskin is enjoying a good run of luck with the Jomara Bloodstock-bred and raced filly, the same couldn’t be said of ownership mate Geneva.
The three-year-old son of Time Test won his only juvenile start last season but has since had little go his way.
“Everywhere I have taken him, he’s either drawn badly or it’s rained,” Hoskin said.
“He’s been gelded and he’s back in now, he’ll trial next week and then go to Matamata for a Rating 65 over 1400m.
“Hopefully, back left-handed will do the trick and then we’ll look at the Levin Classic (Gr.2, 1400m) providing everything is going well.”
Meanwhile, Hoskin’s immediate focus is on Wednesday’s Rotorua meeting where Miss Parker will chase an overdue victory in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1560m).
“She’s had four seconds in a row, and we’ll add side winkers this time,” she said.
“Sam (Collett) just thought that last time she floated around a bit and let the eventual winner run past her so that and a bit further distance should suit her.”
Collett is serving a suspension so Cartwright will take the reins aboard Go Racing’s daughter of Circus Maximus. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.
