The well-related Life Of Riley (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) is forward enough for a bold bid at a deserved victory when she returns to action at Rotorua.
The daughter of Turn Me Loose has required patient handling and will attempt to break her maiden at her third appearance when she runs in Wednesday’s Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1400m).
The five-year-old is a half-sister to winning stablemate Powerofpersuasion (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns), who claim four-time Group One winner Riverina Charm as their third dam, with the pair raced by breeder Sir Peter Vela.
“It’s a nice race for her to kick off in, she had a quiet jump-out and we think she’s ready enough to go fresh-up over 1400m,” said Steven Ramsay, who trains in partnership with Julia Ritchie.
Life Of Riley has placed in both of her runs, including a debut second behind subsequent winner Cashla Bay, at Matamata in the autumn before a break.
“She’s just taken a bit of time to mature and will be a better horse on a bit better track, but with a couple of drying days it might come back a touch,” Ramsay said.
Meanwhile, the team’s top-rated performer Island Life (NZ) (Vadamos) has begun her build-up toward her four-year-old campaign.
“She’s back in work and is a couple of weeks off a trial,” Ramsay said.
Island Life made impressive progress last season and finished second in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) behind Tuxedo off the back of a maiden victory at her third outing.
She then ran third in the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) and triumphed in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) before a spell after an unplaced effort in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
“She did a really good job, we were very happy that she got that valuable black-type win, which is what we always strive for,” Ramsay said.
“In hindsight, the Oaks was just one step too far, but we had to have a go.”
Ramsay said Island Life had thrived during her time in the paddock.
“She has had a good break and has definitely strengthened up and looks very well,” he said.
“It can be difficult to place a four-year-old mare, so we’ll trial her and see how she comes up. We’ll pick our way along, but nothing has been set in stone.”
By Vadamos, Island Life is out of the unraced Montjeu mare Lycia who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) winner De Beers (NZ) (Quest For Fame) and to the dam of last season’s Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) winner Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth).