Hometown feature looms for She’s No Saint

Promising three-year-old She’s No Saint (Prague) is on target for her hometown feature after a comprehensive win in the 15 August Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders Stakes (1100m) at Ruakaka.

The daughter of Prague appeared early as a juvenile and ran a gallant race for sixth in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), then picked up her maiden in good style when returning at Ellerslie in June. She was favoured to continue that winning streak further north on Saturday, closing at $2.40 - that price shortening further late with the scratching of Arcadia (NZ) (Contributer).

Her jockey George Rooke looked to go back from a wide gate and the filly travelled keenly early, but settled nicely off the fence aided by a hot speed set by Ceasars Palace (NZ) (Proisir). She started to work into the race on the home turn and let down powerfully in the centre of the track, running down the leader, kicking clear and winning the contest by three lengths.

Trainer Michelle Bradley has always rated the filly and is looking forward to contesting black-type with her in a fortnight.

“As I’ve said, she didn’t disgrace herself in the Karaka Millions and the goal was to get the win out of her after that, which we did,” she said. “To come here today and win like she did, it was really pleasing.

“The Breeders has been the aim and our goal, so today’s race was the lead-up. It’s nice when you’ve got a little bit of a plan and it’s coming together.

“There’s going to be some nice horses in there, but it’s black type, so there should be.”

Bradley had a successful day on her home track, winning earlier in the card with progressive maiden galloper Alker Traz (NZ) (Wyndspelle), while placings came from Bourbon Proof (Justify) and Iridescent (NZ) (Wyndspelle).

“He (Alkar Traz) is a very promising horse, he’s just been giving and giving this time in and it’s great to see,” she said. “He’s got a bright future.”