Mike Breslin has an eye on the future with his two talented three-year-olds when heading to Te Rapa on Saturday.
The Awapuni horseman will present speedy filly Pleasing (NZ) (Russian Revolution) and the untapped Kosta (NZ) (War Decree) at the meeting, each with strong recent form to bring into their respective races.
Often the frontrunner, Pleasing has been successful in two of her seven appearances, including the most recent effort when putting a space on her Rating 65 rivals at Hawera earlier this month. Having continued to improve throughout the season, Breslin is hoping to finish on a high when she contests the Ambient Group 3YO (1100m).
“She’s just starting to mature, she’s always had plenty of speed but she’s just starting to put other things into place now which is good to see,” he said.
“She’s just naturally a speed horse and will race on the pace, the query on Saturday is just going to be the heavy track. She may have had her first start on one and failed, but the horse herself is in top order.
“I want to give both her and the other horse (Kosta) a trip away before they have a spell and come back for the spring.”
The daughter of Russian Revolution will be partnered by three-kilogram claimer Rihaan Goyaram, while fellow apprentice Liam Kauri will take off the same impost aboard Kosta in the Signature Homes Jumps Day June 14 Mile (1600m).
Breslin made no secret of the challenge Kosta has been in his short career so far, with five starts to date showing his clear ability, but also a lack of raceday manners.
“He’s just been a bit frustrating, I think he’s only concentrated for 200m in his entire life and that was when he won his maiden at Waverley,” he said. “When he runs straight and true, he’s got plenty of ability.
“I think the few gear changes will be beneficial, I’ve taken the blinkers off and put on a shadow roll. He’s talented and is a horse to watch for the future, I think he’ll go 2000m-plus next time in.”
A gelding by War Decree, Kosta will carry the silks of Central Districts-based syndicator In To Win, who combined with Breslin earlier in the season to win at Group Two level with juvenile filly Intention.
Closer to home, Breslin will line-up two runners at Wanganui’s Saturday meeting, including Ima Brazen One (NZ) (Brazen Beau) in the Dawn Eales-Baldwin Memorial Open 1200 and Papa Surf (NZ) (Dalghar) in the Whanganui Chronicle 1200.