A new southern partnership is set to kick-off at Phar Lap Raceway on Thursday when Lady Maxima (NZ) (Circus Maximus) makes her debut in the Pink Ribbon & Heartland Chips 1200.
She will carry the familiar orange and white colours of Barneswood Farm, which will appear for the first time alongside Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson’s name in the racebook.
Bred by Barneswood Farm’s Sarah and Chris Green and Ger Beemsterboer, Lady Maxima is by Windsor Park Stud stallion Circus Maximus and out of their Lonhro mare Vaudesir, a half-sister to Group One winner Dreamaway.
She has impressed Robinson with her two trials to date, including winning her last trial over 1000m at Ashburton last month, and he is hoping she performs well first-up for his new clients.
“Her trial was really good and she has had a nice bit of time to get over that trial,” he said. “She is a nice filly and I have got a lot of time for her.
“It’s my first horse for them (Barneswood Farm), so it is a privilege having one for them. I hope she runs well for them.”
Lady Maxima holds a nomination for next month’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton, and Robinson hasn’t ruled out a tilt at the race sponsored by her owners.
“We will just get Thursday over and done with and we will make a plan after that,” he said.
Robinson will also head to Timaru with Skiddlydoo (Trapeze Artist), who will jump from barrier two in the Ascot Sportshouse & Eatery Social Club 1600, while stablemate Avoriaz (NZ) (Almanzor) will likely bypass the Jon Snow and Echoes Of Heaven @ Clearview Park 2200 in favour of the heading to Ashburton on Saturday.
“Skiddlydoo is a horse on the way up and is a staying type of horse,” Robinson said. “He is working really well and whatever he does he will improve on, he is a horse that is looking for a bit further. He is a nice horse and we like him.
“Avoriaz is in at Ashburton also, so at this point in time we are probably going to run her at Ashburton because she is a mare that likes a good track. She has got a wide draw at Timaru so possibly may not run.”
Robinson is also set to take another five runners to Ashburton on Saturday, including last-start winner Alottago (Tagaloa) who will contest the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m).
The son of Tagaloa hasn’t put a foot wrong so far in his career, placing in his three starts as a juvenile, including the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) and Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m), and has won both of his starts this season, including the Guineas Trial (1400m) at Riccarton last month.
“He has done really well since his win the other day, we are really happy with him,” Robinson said. “He has done nothing wrong and is going the right way. He should run well.”
Alottago’s main aim of the spring is the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month, for which he is currently at $16 on the TAB’s Futures Market.
Robinson will also be represented on Saturday by Bella Luce, Elusive Impact , Pequot and Tembo.
“Bella Luce didn’t have a lot of luck in her last start, she missed the kick and got back on a slowly run race upfront,” he said. “Just the way the race was run, it didn’t suit her.
“She has had a bit of a freshen-up and Ashburton should suit her. She will jump and put herself up on speed and we expect her to run well.
“Elusive Impact is working really well, it is a good field and I think he is up to it.
“Pequot is a lovely horse and went terrific first-up and has improved since then. We expect him to be a good chance.
“Tembo is working really well too. She went well fresh-up and has come on from that run.”