Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
The seven-year-old daughter of Vadamos comfortably took out her 900m heat by 1-1/4 lengths, giving her connections plenty of confidence heading into the spring.
“I was really happy with her trial today, it was more of a day out for her,” Katrina Alexander said.
“She got to the lead fairly soon out of the gates and had gone along at a nice clip and won very comfortably, still on the bridle.
“She has shown a lot of freshness on her side and put in a very nice trial. I really couldn’t be any happier with her.”
The Alexanders have had their patience tested with their star mare, with feet issues curtailing a number of her preparations, and they reared their head again in autumn when prematurely ending her Australian campaign.
“That’s (feet issues) what put her out at the end of the season after we went to Sydney,” Alexander said. “But what happened in Australia was literally just a stone bruise.
“She went to the paddock in very good order, without being able to race over there.
“She has had a very good spell, we haven’t rushed her back in, and it has meant that she has been back in work a fraction earlier than we might have normally had her ready.
“She was showing all the signs at home that she wanted to have a day out, so we let that happen today and she seems to have enjoyed herself and let off a little bit of steam.”
Alexander said La Crique’s feet are in top order heading into the spring, and the mild winter has been favourable for their mare’s early preparation.
“Her feet are really good,” she said. “The (winter) season has probably been a little kinder on her. We have had wet periods, but I have been able to do alternative work with her and she is trucking along very nicely.
“Our problem has always been trying to prepare her through a wet end of winter and early spring.”
Australia has always been the main aim for La Crique this spring, however, her trainers haven’t ruled out remaining in New Zealand to tackle the spring carnival triple crown, which is set to take place at Ellerslie and Te Rapa this year.
“That (Australia) was our original thought,” Alexander said. “We have obviously opted to come here (Taupo trials) and will most likely stay here (New Zealand) for at least the first race of that series (Gr.1 Proisir Plate, 1400m), and we are just going to play it by ear.
“Physically she looks great, but I am mindful that she is a seven-year-old mare. We have been to Australia and struck a problem before, and we don’t want a repeat of that costly exercise.
“We want to go with a good, competitive article. That first race (Proisir Plate) is going to be at Ellerslie, which gives us a little more confidence to hang around.”
La Crique has just had two starts in Australia, running fourth in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington three years ago, and winning the A$500,000 Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm last year.
While plagued by feet issues throughout her career, La Crique has been able to amass an enviable record of nine wins and 13 places from 26 starts, and has earned nearly $2 million in prizemoney.
Her highlights have included victories in the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m), while she has placed on eight occasions at at elite-level, including four consecutive runner-up results last summer.
