Sam Mynott has her sights set on the New Zealand Cup carnival with Electron (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), but where the gifted mare takes her first steps toward Riccarton is yet to be locked in.
The Cambridge trainer’s preference is to kick off in Saturday’s Gr.3 fastinternet.nz Spring Sprint (1400m) at Otaki if there is any improvement in track conditions, currently rated a Heavy 10.
Plan B is for multiple Group Three placegetter Electron to resume closer to home a day before in the Placemakers Taupo Handicap (1300m).
“Ideally, she will go to Otaki, but we will see if the sun comes out for us or not and I’ll wait until Thursday afternoon to make that call,” Mynott said.
“I am really happy with her and that’s why I don’t want to give her a gut buster first-up, there’s a long season ahead.”
Electron has posted two wins and a placing from four first-up appearances and has again worked well ahead of her return without going to the trials.
“She’s a bit funny in the barriers and I keep her away from them as much as I can,” Mynott said.
“I’ve taken her off the property out to the Windsor Park track and given her some good gallops there. She’s pretty fit but will improve with a run regardless.”
Joe Doyle, who won on the Turn Me Loose mare last season, has been booked for the ride at Otaki and George Rooke for Taupo.
Mynott has plans to trip south with Electron for the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) on the opening day of the Riccarton carnival and is also nominated for the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) on the middle day.
“We’re hoping to get down to Riccarton where I’ve targeted the Breeders’ Stakes and there’s the option to run in both,” she said.
“It would just depend how she went and came through the first one, so she could run on both days.”
Mynott is also keen to run Miss Madridista at Otaki in the Harcourts Premier Otaki (1200m).
“I’d love to get a run into her, and she will cop a bit of cut in the ground,” she said.
The Shamexpress mare has won twice from six appearances and hasn’t been seen since her autumn campaign.
“She’s come up super well this time in, she’s flying and I’d love to get her rating up to target some better races,” Mynott said.
At Taupo, she also formed a good opinion of Too Darn Sweet (Too Darn Hot), who will debut in the McLeod Hiabs Maiden (1100m) with Matthew Cameron in the saddle.
“She’s fast and she’s got a beautiful gate (two). She has trialled up really nicely the other day and is definitely one to watch,” Mynott said.