Saint chasing hometown stakes success
Ruakaka trainer Michelle Bradley is hoping She’s No Saint (Prague) can continue her progression when she steps up to stakes company in Saturday’s Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on her home track.
The daughter of Prague has won both starts this preparation, breaking her maiden at Ellerslie in June before producing an emphatic three-length victory over 1100m at Ruakaka last start.
“It was a pretty satisfying win with her at Ruakaka last start,” Bradley said. “I was really impressed with the way she won.
“This weekend is another step up. You have a few horses we have been against before, and a few returning from a spell who will obviously be bigger and better than before.
“Danny Walker and Arron Tata's filly Shalabiya was very impressive on debut the other day as well, so it is shaping up to be a good field.”
Bradley said the barrier draw would be important, but she has been encouraged by the versatility and maturity She’s No Saint has displayed this preparation.
George Rooke is again booked to ride, having partnered the filly in a trial as a two-year-old and in her latest victory, and Bradley believes that familiarity will be beneficial on Saturday.
She’s No Saint was initially passed in at the sales, having caught Bradley’s eye on several occasions before she later inspected the filly at Highline Thoroughbreds.
“There was just something about her that really appealed to me,” Bradley said. “She was quite sassy and she had a lovely walk on her.”
The filly is raced by a syndicate of 18 local owners, ensuring she will have plenty of support at Ruakaka.
“They’re all locals, some previous clients, some friends of mine, some new faces, and my farrier as well,” Bradley said.
“They are all a great bunch of people. They are all having fun and enjoying the ride, which is what it's all about really. I’m picking there’s going to be a big crew there on Saturday.”
Bradley will also saddle five-year-old gelding Bourbon Proof (Justify) in the Rating 75 Benchmark 1600m.
The former Stephen Marsh-trained galloper has finished runner-up in both starts since joining Bradley’s stable and will be ridden by apprentice Jack Taplin.
“I have just freshened him up and he is thriving up here, which is good to see,” Bradley said. “We've had two starts with him for two seconds, so I’m determined to get a win out of him.
“We didn’t have a lot of luck with the barrier draw last start and he had to sit three-wide. We are hoping for a better draw this weekend.”
Meanwhile, unraced four-year-old Cisco (NZ) (Shocking) moved closer to a raceday debut when winning a 1000m heat at the Avondale trials on Tuesday.
“He’s a four-year-old now and we want to get him to the races, so it was great to see him trial well,” Bradley said.
“The owners have given him time, and he needed that time to mature physically and mentally. We will see how he pulls up and find a suitable race for him in the next few weeks.”
