Andrew Carston is excited about the prospects of his Riccarton barn this spring, and he will kick-off the preparation of one his leading chances this weekend.
Brazen Beau filly Miss Ziggy (NZ) (Brazen Beau) tested her talent against the best juveniles in the country last season, and while she has yet to taste victory in seven starts, she ran third in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie in January.
The three-year-old filly won her 800m trial at Ashburton earlier this month and Carston is hopeful of a bold showing from her first-up in a three-year-old set weights and penalties 1000m contest at Riccarton Park on Saturday.
“Miss Ziggy has come back in fantastic order and trialled well the other day. She will start her preparation on Saturday and go from there,” he said.
Carston is also excited about the spring prospects of new stable acquisition Ess Vee Are (NZ) (Shocking).
The seven-year-old gelding won five and placed in nine of his starts for former trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley, including victory in the Listed New Zealand St Leger (2600m), and Carston has stakes ambitions with the son of Shocking.
“I have trained for the Clothiers in the past, so it is exciting to have a horse of his calibre,” Carston said.
“He has settled in well. He had a day out at the trials, trialled well and has come through it well.
“He will be nominated for the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m), and we will work back from there.”
Carston also has stakes ambitions with Jon Ol Rocco (NZ) (Time Test), who finished second in his 800m trial at Ashburton last week, returning from a long layoff.
“Jon Ol Rocco trialled well the other day as well and he is on the comeback. Hopefully we will get him to a TAB Mile (Gr.3, 1600m),” he said.
“We have got some nice horses to look forward to.”
Meanwhile, Carston will take a quintet of runners to his local synthetic meeting on Wednesday, headlined by last start placegetter Cinnamon Girl (NZ) (Zacinto) in the Betavet Rating 60 (1400m).
“She has done well,” Carston said. “She is fourth up now and has had a couple of runs to come to it.
“Her last run had merit and the form out of the race seems to be stacking up. She will be there with a claim and will be there for a long way.”
22-start maiden Baggio (NZ) (War Decree) will be seeking a breakthrough victory in the Stallion Tender Open Now Maiden (2200m), and Carston expects the distance to suit.
“Baggio has had a few chances, but I thought his first run at 2200m last start was encouraging,” he said.
“He has a sticky gate (7), and I am not sure where he will end up in the run, but he will be an eachway chance.”
He will be joined in the race by stablemate Friendofthedevil (NZ) (Verdi).
“I don’t think she has been going that bad,” Carston said. “She got back in a slowly run race last start and found the line okay. She is a top three chance.”
Carston will also be represented by Sincere (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge (2200m) and Super Sincere (NZ) (Super Seth) in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1200m), although he is weighing up whether to keep the latter for Saturday.
“Sincere drops back in grade tomorrow and with the claim I expect a forward showing,” Carston said.
“Super Sincere is first-up without a trial, she won in that state last preparation. We are still undecided whether we are going to run her there or on Saturday, but if she runs tomorrow, I think she is a very strong chance.”
