Horse racing: Outstanding mare back but with track and distance concerns

Orchestral has won three $1 million-plus races and returns at Pukekohe on Saturday. Photo / Kenton Wright

Expectations for Orchestral will be kept in check when the outstanding mare resumes at Pukekohe on Saturday.

The two-time top-flight winner will resume in the Group 2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) with underfoot conditions a major question mark.

Opposing her will be talented stablemate Arabian Songbird, who has come through the grades in grand style.

“Orchestral will probably run and definitely wants a better track, but we really need to get going and get her prep on the road,” Robert Wellwood, who trains in partnership with Roger James, said.

“The other mare will handle some cut in it, both are certainly a lot better and proven on good tracks though.”

Orchestral won the Listed Aotearoa Classic (1600m) and finished third in the Group 1 Ōtaki-Māori WFA Classic (1600m) during her last preparation.

“She has come back in very good order and looks as big and strong as we have ever seen her,” Wellwood said.

“She had a nice gallop at Te Aroha the other day and George [Rooke, jockey] was very happy, she is just going to be a mare that will be better when she goes over a mile and 2000m on a firmer surface.

“If it was a firm track, perhaps we would see a little more than we can now expect. If she hits the line strongly, we will be very pleased.”

The stable has yet to firm up the direction the Savabeel mare will take through the summer.

“There’s some nice options around Christmas and into the New Year, we would love to think we can get her to the Zabeel Classic [Group 1, 2000m],” Wellwood said.

“We’ve got a pretty open mind about her programme going forward, certainly if she was to run nicely then we would give her a mile in December and then get to the Zabeel on Boxing Day.”

Arabian Songbird has won half of her 10 starts and was unbeaten in two spring appearances.

“She is putting together a pretty impressive record and 1400m is right up her alley and she’s been very effective at both Pukekohe and Ellerslie,” Wellwood said.

“We are really excited to see her have a chance at stakes level.”

The stable also has track concerns with its Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) contender Spellbound, who was runner-up on debut in trying conditions at Ōtaki.

“He’s a horse that probably wants a firm surface and he was very impressive at the trials at Ellerslie and then on a very wet track, he didn’t operate very well,” Wellwood said.

“His work has been superb and we do have a high opinion of the horse.

“We may reconsider running if is on the worse side of side of heavy, but we can’t make that call yet until closer to Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Della Ricci is due to make her first appearance at New Plymouth on Friday in the Entain/NZB Pearl Series Maiden (1400m).

“She’s been very good at the trials, very professional and a nice filly whose work has been good,” Wellwood said.

“She’s a filly that we could see in some of the three-year-old staying races at Christmas, New Year and beyond.”

– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk