“It is a gamble and the only other option is the Group Sprint (Group 1, 1400m) at Te Rapa, but if Levante and Babylon Berlin go around in that, it would be a tougher run than at a distance she is more comfortable at,” Alexander said.
“We think she needs to travel again before we go back to Australia and I think she is forward enough and should be right in amongst it.
“I’m very happy with her and she did her final bit of fast work this morning, which was nice, so I think we have done all we can.
“She’s had a gallop at Counties, had a trial and in her other work she is running times that are very smart under no pressure. By the time she’s travelled down there, she’ll be tidied up enough to show her best.”
Safely through Trentham, La Crique will make another appearance in the Central Districts before the rest of her campaign is locked in.
“The logical step looks like going to the Otaki race [Group 1 WFA Classic] over a mile and after that there is a possibility she will go to Brisbane,” Alexander said.
“There’s not really a lot for her at the right distance in Melbourne as we’ll be looking at having her around the 2000m mark when she steps out in Australia.
“We haven’t pinpointed any races yet with Brisbane an option or possibly Sydney. Nothing has been finalised at all and we want to get Saturday out of the way first.”
La Crique is a course and distance winner at Trentham, having claimed the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) 12 months ago and while the stable will have a representative in Saturday’s age group event, confidence of retaining the title isn’t high.
Last-start maiden winner Asterial will take her place in what is more of a means to an end scenario for the Press Statement filly.
“She’s probably just a runner’s chance, her work has been very good but she is more on target for a NZ Oaks distance [Group 1, 2400m].
“This mile might be just a bit too sharp for her, but she needs the travel experience and she is a genuine Oaks contender.” NZ Racing Desk
