Ascot Isle has been backed and beaten in two starts following a year away from the racetrack, but trainer Karen McQuade does not see that as significant in tomorrow's $60,000 Platinum Homes Tauranga Classic.
McQuade feels the underrated mare may have had the edge taken off her beforebeing beaten favourite at Ellerslie last start.
"She came back from so long off and trialled brilliantly, then went to Rotorua, where the track was just a little bit too good for her.
"I think the combination of the trial and that race flattened her a little."
McQuade has given Ascot Isle a short break and says the mare is flying again.
"I'm really rapt with the way she's come back up again after a freshener. She may still be a little on the pretty side for a race like this, but otherwise I can't fault her."
Ascot Isle is a rising 8-year-old, but she has had only 23 career races and has shown she has plenty left to give.
Abit Rusty will be well suited to the set weight conditions.
She has been carrying close to topweight in the handicaps and has not always enjoyed the best of luck in running lately. She has yet to run on a heavy track, but is comfortable on slow conditions, on which she has scored three times.
Few deserve a win more than 3-year-old filly Electrostatic. She looked a touch off her best form when beaten favourite in fourth place at Ellerslie last start, but her prior form was terrific.
It included a nose second to Jazzella and a defeat by a short head at the hands of Zerello at Rotorua.
Rain-affected tracks do not appear to bother Electrostatic.
Nor Quest For Kash. The heavier the better and the Cambridge mare's close third to Vegas Showgirl at Trentham two starts back showed she was capable at this level.
Trainer Lance Noble has high hopes for Bellevue Lass this preparation and there was a bit to like about her close first-up third to Tenjuberrymud at Ellerslie last start.
