Racing: Matamata pair tip blueblood filly to deliver on track

Forest Native. Photo / Trish Dunell

One of the more valuable fillies in the country can add race performance to her rich pedigree this season, according to her trainers.

A daughter of the champion sire Fastnet Rock in the Matamata stable of Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, created a stir earlier in the year before a setback placed her on the easy list.

Out of the stakes-performed Storm Cat mare Forest Native, she is an unnamed sister to the Group 1 William Reid Stakes winner and Group One producer Foxwedge.

"She won both of her trials in the autumn and unfortunately she then got held up with a little injury," Richards said.

"She's very sharp and will be back in the stable in the first week of September. She'll then hopefully be out in the late spring or early summer."

The 3-year-old, who has yet to be named, is owned by Coolmore Stud.

Meanwhile, one of the stable's more talented but injury-plagued gallopers is taking his first safe steps towards a return to racing.

Now a 7-year-old, Chambord has won three of his 19 and he is a multiple stakes placegetter including a runner-up finish in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas.

"It's been frustrating with the injuries and niggles, he's got so much ability," Richards said. "Everything is good with him though at this stage and the plan is to trial him at either Avondale on August 22 or at Te Teko a week later. It will depend on the tracks where he goes."

Stablemate Hushed is another to have issues, but with a record of six wins from 16 appearances he too has the talent to progress further if he stays injury-free.

"We'll see how he comes up, he takes a bit of managing," Richards said. "He'll also go to either Avondale or Te Teko."

- NZ Racing Desk