A change of plans for superstar sprinter Fritz could herald a head-to-head battle with Burton, in the $20,000 Timaru Stakes at Riccarton Park on October 13.
Burton came out ahead of the Anderton stablemate and southern filly of the year, Perceptible, in a 1000m trial at Wingatui yesterday, with Debbie Henderson
up on the exciting son of Personal Escort.
"We have to kick him off somewhere and the Riccarton race suits him. If Fritz is there, well, we have to measure up some time and that will be a measure of how we are going along," said Burton's co-trainer Shane Anderton.
Burton won five of seven starts in his debut season, including the Hazlett Stakes over 1400m.
Fritz' trainer Neil Coulbeck was targetting the Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham on Labour weekend, but agreed to a request from the horse's owners for a local race.
Fritz won the race last year and both he and Burton are suited by the conditions, which has a maximum 58kg and a minimum 54kg for older horses.
Anderton said Perceptible has, if anything, been more impressive in her lead up to resuming racing.
The winner of seven races last season - the same number as the Paul O'Sullivan-trained Butterscotch among her age group - Perceptible trialled as well as Burton yesterday.
"They were both under a hold. There were only four in it and there wasn't much drama," Anderton said. "But we haven't decided about where Perceptible will kick off yet."
Meanwhile, Balcairn trainers John and Karen Parsons could have some earnest discussions this week before a decision is made on the next start for Pledge, winner of Saturday's Canterbury Belle Stakes.
"I can't see why the Coupland [formerly Grigg] Stakes at Ashburton wouldn't suit her but John is not convinced," Karen Parsons said.
"She has eaten everything up and done a treat since the race. The Ashburton race is a nice step before the 1600m at Rangiora at Labour weekend and the timing of the race is right."
Pledge was bred by Reg Brown and David Jones, principals of Paritai Stud, and passed in at the South Island sale for $2000.
"I was impressed with her even then. She was small but athletic. I suggested to a group of our owners they lease her and they did."
The trio, Roger Lynch, Richard Yardley, and Gavin Eastwick, have a $30,000 right of purchase on the filly.
Her sire Mellifont, a grandson of Mr Prospector, is from a threequarter sister to Sadler's Wells. Pledge's dam Erudite, by Sound Reason, was up with the best three-year-old fillies of her year in the North Island.
Pledge was one of two winners yesterday for Riccarton horsewoman Judy Lawson, who has won the race twice before, on Tartan Tights and Finally.
The Parsons stable has had placegetters in the race, but this was their first win.
- NZPA
A change of plans for superstar sprinter Fritz could herald a head-to-head battle with Burton, in the $20,000 Timaru Stakes at Riccarton Park on October 13.
Burton came out ahead of the Anderton stablemate and southern filly of the year, Perceptible, in a 1000m trial at Wingatui yesterday, with Debbie Henderson
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