Britannia Gold (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns) has made a good impression during her fledgling career and with better fortune on her side could have made even more of an impact.
Trained by Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, she has already bagged a brace of wins and with going to suit at Ellerslie on Saturday has an opportunity to further her record in the Sistema 3YO (1400m).
Britannia Gold will return to age group company following a sound third against older opposition over 1200 metres on the course last month.
“Her last run was good, it was just too short for her, and she was under the pump from the half mile home,” Richardson said.
“That didn’t suit her, but it was a very good effort by the winner (Old Bill Bone), I must say.
“In her two starts before that, she was most definitely very unlucky.”
Britannia Gold had previously finished sixth in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) and seventh, after being blocked for room in the straight, in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
In-form apprentice Triston Moodley has been booked to continue his association after partnering her in her last two appearances.
“I’m just hoping it’s not too wet up there and then we’ll tip her out after Saturday,” Richardson said.
“If it is that wet, then I’ll make a decision with the owners. She has done a good job, and I really like the filly.”
A daughter of Ten Sovereigns, Richardson bought her out of breeder Berkley Stud’s Book 2 draft at Karaka for $25,000 and she has subsequently banked more than double her purchase price.
Stablemate Permissive also suffered an interrupted run when resuming with apprentice Bailey Rogerson to again guide her fortunes on Saturday in the Thanks For Your Service Ross Coles Handicap (1600m).
“She will improve even more and will head toward Ruakaka at the end of the month,” Richardson said.
The stable is also looking forward to the new season with a number of rising three-year-olds, including Blue Point filly Lodi Dodi who won her only juvenile start at Te Aroha before a break.
“She was impressive and is back in work now, there’s quite a few of them here with Lollapalooza and I really like a filly called Fleeting Star,” Richardson said.
“She was beaten a head and a nose by Lodi Dodi at the trials and was shin sore afterwards.”
Fleeting Star is a daughter of Cool Aza Beel while El Roca filly Lollapalooza was third on debut and then finished eighth in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m).
“She was a bit unlucky not to run in the first three, she’s back in work and we’ll get her ready for the Gold Trail (Gr.3, 1200m),” Richardson said. Unraced Anders two-year-old Cosmopolitan was a recent trial at Te Awamutu while two-time winner and last-start Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes fourth Romilly is another progressive prospect for the new season.