Twelve months since the start of a frustrating run of Group One seconds in the TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m), Te Awamutu mare La Crique is ready to go one better in next week’s Trentham feature.
That close second was the first in a frustrating and almost unbelievable sequence of runner-up placings at Group One level. All five starts since last December have been at racing’s highest level and every one of them has produced the same result.
The most recent was her half-length second to Waitak in the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa in late September, and on Wednesday at Te Aroha the benefit of the time she has been allowed since was clear to see.
In a solo gallop between races, La Crique was timed to run 1000m in 1:00.91s and the last 600m in 35.14s. Minutes earlier fellow top-class mare Legarto had recorded 1:03.44s in an 1100m black-type trial, with the final 600m in 32.55s.
“That was just right, not too much pressure and it should bring her on nicely,” said Katrina Alexander, who trains La Crique with her husband Simon.
“The time she’s had to herself was good for her, she’s carrying good condition and I would go so far as to say that she’s finally matured.”
Even with all those placings, which can be added to by another two Group One seconds in the 2022 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the 2023 Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m), the now seven-year-old has still won nine of her 23 starts, headed by the 2022 Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and 2024 Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m) for stakes of more than $2 million.
La Crique was ridden at Te Aroha by Masa Hashizume, who will be in the saddle for the first time on raceday at Trentham next week.
“Masa has been coming down regularly to ride trackwork for us, which is something we really appreciate,” Alexander said.. “He’s been very obliging and we’re pleased to see how well he’s getting on with the mare, so we’re looking forward to getting them together on raceday.”