Premiership leader Lisa Cropp will ride unbeaten filly Crepe De Chine in the $120,000 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on Saturday.
Cropp has gained the mount ahead of Matamata rider Thomas Russell who has ridden Crepe De Chine in her two starts to date.
Waikato trainer Lance O'Sullivan
said the decision on a rider was left to owner Gary Plowman.
"It was the owner's call," O'Sullivan said yesterday. "Thomas hasn't done anything wrong but it is a group one race and Lisa is a group one rider and in winning form."
Cropp had also been offered the ride when Crepe De Chine made her debut last spring.
Crepe De Chine beat Dr Green in the listed Cullen Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe in November but did not race again until winning over 1100m at Te Aroha last month.
The gap between races was not intentional and a series of problems, including a pulled muscle, had kept Crepe De Chine sidelined, O'Sullivan said.
"You name it, she's had it," O'Sullivan said. "We have had a lot of problems with her. But she's got ability and is pretty tough."
O'Sullivan rides Crepe De Chine in most of her work and was satisfied with her at Matamata yesterday.
"Her work this morning suggested she was forward enough to run a race.
"She looks strong and has done enough work to be ready for 1400 metres. We are reasonably happy with her going into the race.
"Kindacross looks a standout on his run at New Plymouth but even running a place would be a good result for our filly."
- NZPA
