Lollapalooza looking to bounce back at Ellerslie
Group One performer Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca) will be looking to get her campaign back on track when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Trackside.co.nz 1600.
The daughter of El Roca was a top-performing three-year-old last season, winning the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) and runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m).
She was thrown into the deep end in her resuming run as a four-year-old in the stacked Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie earlier this month, where she finished last.
Trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall have been pleased with her progression since that run, and they are hoping for a confidence-boosting result this weekend as they continue to eye the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings next month.
“She is working well and it (Saturday’s performance) will give us a decision as to which way we head,” Richardson said.
Stablemate Hawea continues to go from strength-to-strength, with last month’s Listed Chittick Family Fillies Classic (1100m) winner pleasing with her trial victory over 1050m at Te Rapa on Sunday.
She will now head to Hastings on Saturday week to try and match the feats of Lollapalooza in the Gr.3 HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders’ Gold Trail Stakes (1200m).
“She was very good in her trial and she heads to the Gold Trail now,” Richardson said.
Cambridge Stud filly Joyeuse (NZ) (Sword Of State) could also be on the hunt for black-type following her debut runner-up performance over 1200m at Te Rapa on Sunday.
“She heads to Matamata on the third (October) and then we might look at the Soliloquy (Gr.2, 1400m),” Richardson said.
Fellow Cambridge Stud filly State The Obvious (NZ) (Sword Of State) will join Lollapalooza on the float trip north to Ellerslie this weekend where she will contest the Hello Youmzain – Champion 2nd Season Sire 1400.
“She goes well and she is still nominated for the 1000 Guineas and just needs a bit of ground,” Richardson said.
