Racing: Cup target set for promising Felaar

Talented stayer Felaar has the New Zealand Cup (3200m) on his programme. Photo / Trish Dunell

All roads will lead to Riccarton next season for the promising staying prospect Felaar.

The lightly-tried son of Ekraar is back in work at Stephen Marsh's Cambridge yard and is likely to open his preparation next month.

"He's up to three-quarter pace and he's heading to the New Zealand Cup," stable foreman Rhys Mildon said.

"He's likely to kick off at Te Rapa on August 18."

Felaar has won two of his 10 starts and the four-year-old was turned out after he finished runner-up behind Daytona Red in the Listed New Zealand St Leger (2500m) at Trentham in March.

"He looks good and he'll only get better as he gets older," Mildon said.

Meanwhile, the stable's immediate focus is on today's Avondale meeting where they have three runners.

They will have two chances in the opening event, the Westmere Maiden (1200m), with Scorched Earth and Lowprofile. They will be ridden by Taiki Yanagida and Bridget Grylls respectively.

"Scorched Earth is a big improver, she won't mind the track and the claim will help her," Mildon said.

The Pins filly, who is a half-sister to the multiple winner and stakes performer Don Carlo, was a last-start fifth at Te Awamutu.

"Lowprofile has trialled nicely and she's improving," Mildon said. "It won't be easy from the draw, but she has been working well."

The stable's other runner is Trip In Time in the Waterview Maiden (1360m) and she will be ridden by Ryan Elliot. The Iffraaj filly was a trial winner before an unplaced debut run at Te Awamutu.

"Ryan will help her chances and she has definitely improved a lot," Mildon said.

- NZ Racing Desk