New Plymouth two-year-old contender Pleasing has lived up to her name ahead of her debut on Saturday.
The daughter of Russian Revolution will step out in the A B Electrical Ltd (1200m) and has displayed the pace to make use of her inside barrier.
“She’s had a jump-out and a trial and won them both nicely over 800m this time in. I’m hopeful she’ll stretch out to 1200m and can’t see why she won’t,” trainer Mike Breslin said.
“She’s a very fast horse, but in her general nature she’s relaxed and that’s probably the most exciting thing about her, she can run quickly and her demeanour is pretty chilled.”
Pleasing will be partnered by Lisa Allpress who was aboard the filly when she won her 800m trial heat at Waverley at the end of last month.
“She can run time and Lisa rode her at the trials and was pretty keen to stick with her. That’s always a positive and gives more confidence,” Breslin said.
“She went shin sore in her first preparation and this time she’s gone along without any hitches and has showed plenty.”
Breslin purchased Pleasing out of breeder Westbury Stud’s draft at Karaka last year for $75,000 and races the youngster with Hawke’s Bay owner Roy Potter.
“Roy has raced horses for a few years and I’ve bought three promising horses for him,” Breslin said.
“I’ve got Crouch, who has won three, and Revolt, who should have won a couple, and now this one.”
Rider Masa Hashizume lost an iron and parted company with Revolt when in front 50m off the post at Otaki before the son of War Decree finished a game sixth in the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m).
Meanwhile, Pleasing’s stablemate Papa Surf has been in good touch this preparation and another top showing is expected from him in the Brandlab Handicap (1200m).
“He was a bit of a handful as a three-year-old and did a bit wrong, but he has really grown up and matured,” Breslin said.
Papa Surf beat a handy line-up when opening his campaign at Tauranga and then finished fourth last time out after racing three wide without cover.
“He won really well fresh-up, which wasn’t unexpected, and I thought he ran well again at Wanganui,” Breslin said.
“He got caught a bit wide from a wide gate and he boxed on pretty well.”
Papa Surf will be reunited with three-kilogram claimer Jim Chung after they successfully combined at Tauranga.
“Jim is back on him and knows the horse, he’s been working a treat and from barrier one he should be right in the firing line,” Breslin said.
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