Terri Rae’s topliners Spot On Time (NZ) (Time Test) and Sir Albert (NZ) (Savabeel) are firing at the right time of the spring, with key assignments on their home track on Saturday setting the scene for next month’s Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m).
The local pair haven’t put a foot wrong in their preparations so far, earning a winning double for Rae in the Open 1200m (Spot On Time) and Sir Albert in the Ashburton Cup (1600m) at Ashburton a fortnight ago.
A winner at six of just 11 starts, Spot On Time will aim to go four in a row in the TAB Mile Trial (1400m) on Saturday, while Sir Albert shoots for a much-deserved stakes result in the Listed Sothy’s Spring Classic (2000m).
“Spot On Time is a really nice up and coming horse, he’s always shown a lot and done no wrong,” Rae said. “He’s looking good going forward into the mile.
“We were rapt with him the other day fresh-up, most of his wins have been over the 1400 but he was smart enough to get away with it that day.
“With Perfect Scenario (NZ) (Iffraaj) in, he’s ended up with a nice weight on Saturday (56.5kg) as well.”
A winner of two of his three 2000m starts, Rae had tested Sir Albert up to a mile-and-a-half in the Dunedin Gold Cup in autumn, but found he is at his best slightly back in trip.
“Last time in, getting him to the distance of the Dunedin Cup was probably too far and he flattened off a bit from there, he’s only a little horse,” she said. “Before that his form was really good and it has been this time in as well, so we won’t be pushing him to go to that distance again.
“He loves the 2000m, he’s good over a mile when we keep him on the fresh side but he does love the 2000m.”
Rae is also eyeing a New Zealand Cup Week goal for the ever-consistent Candycane (NZ) (Pins), a mare who has scarcely missed the top three since joining her stable a year ago, and Kindling Spark (NZ) (Manhattan Rain), a promising staying type on the up.
Following the TAB Mile Trial, where Candycane will be partnered by regular rider Kylie Williams, the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) is on her radar.
“She’s so honest, she’s done no wrong and has at times just got a bit of an indifferent run,” Rae said. “She’s been a great little horse for a really good syndicate of people.
“All going well, she’ll go to the Breeders Stakes after Saturday.”
Kindling Spark holds a nomination for the Gr.3 Martin Collins 162nd New Zealand Cup (3200m), a race well within her sights after a dominant win over 2200m at Timaru earlier this month.
“She’s a reasonably big sort of a mare and never gets tired, she’s got great stamina and the further she goes, the better she seems to get,” Rae said.
“The Cup has been in mind for her, so hopefully all going well, that’s the path we’re heading.
“1800m is not ideal, I would’ve preferred a 2000 or a 2200, but that’s what we’ve got in the programme so 1800 it is.”
The Manhattan Rain five-year-old takes her place in the Canterbury Landscapes Supplies Rating 75 (1800m) alongside stablemate Chapinteel.
Chapinteel’s younger half-brother Professional Lad will contest the other feature on Saturday’s card, the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m), after a luckless run in maiden grade last start over 1400m.
“He clipped a heel and all but went down, but he picked himself up and ran on super,” Rae said. “He’s just had no luck, we thought he would’ve gone close to winning that day and he’ll love the mile.
“He’s drawn the outside but it’s only a small field and not overly strong. He’ll love the big straight at Riccarton, every horse seems to get their chance.”