Anna Furlong’s small but select team couldn’t be in better form ahead of their engagements at Trentham on Saturday.
The Riccarton trainer’s northern-bound team are all last-start winners and headed by Listed James Bull Rangitikei Cup (1600m) contender Iffididit (NZ) (Iffraaj).
Penvose Lad will take on the open class sprinters in the Stout Roofing Handicap (1200m), while Canasta (NZ) (Ace High) lines up in the Harrison’s Carpet & Hard Flooring 3YO (1600m).
Iffraaj five-year-old Iffididit capped off a solid run of form this preparation with his success over 1400 metres at Riverton, his sixth win from 22 appearances and revels on rain-affected ground.
“Obviously, it’s a stronger race but he’s in that grade now and he’s looking for a wet track so very happy to have him there,” Furlong said.
“We pulled the whole team out when the meeting got transferred to the synthetic at the last Riccarton meeting.
“We were looking for a wet track and it wasn’t suitable for them, so we had to make a Plan B and this is it.
“Yogesh (Atchamah) is his regular rider and gets on well with the horse and we wanted to keep him on, so he’s going up and will ride all three.”
Penvose Lad has been showing the benefits of a long break and following a resuming fourth at Wingatui, he has claimed consecutive Rating 75 wins at Ashburton and on his home turf at Riccarton.
The well-related four-year-old has the tidy overall record of three successes and four placings from eight starts including a runner-up finish in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m).
“He went for a lengthy spell just to give his body time to grow and mature, so he had a long time off the scene and lose to 18 months,” Furlong said.
“It’s done him the world of good and he’s back on the right track now.”
Penvose Lad is a half-brother by U S Navy Flag to champion two-year-old Velocious and Matamata juvenile winner Alacritous (NZ) (Dundeel).
Ace High filly Canasta placed in two of her first three appearances before she was turned out at the end of the spring.
She resumed on her home track over 1400m last month and came from the tail of the field to win going away.
“She’s a really nice filly, but we didn’t really expect a performance like that,” Furong said.
“Fresh-up and without a trial, she was pretty impressive and there’s nothing really suitable for her at home.
“It’s a good opportunity to run her in a three-year-old race and she obviously handles some moisture in the track, so we thought why not take her as well.
“A nice trip way generally makes a horse, hopefully it will benefit her and the other two as well.”
