A black type credit at Hastings this weekend will cap a rewarding campaign for the progressive staying mare Pure Lorde.
Lightly tried with three victories from her 12 starts, she is primed for another bold showing in Saturday's listed Winning Edge Presentations Hawke's Bay Gold Cup.
"She's still got abit of maturing to do mentally, but it's worth a crack before the tracks really pack up and she goes out," co-trainer Graham Richardson said. "Lisa Allpress will ride her."
Richardson has recently been joined in partnership by Gavin Parker, and Pure Lorde presented them with their first win together when she scored at the premier meeting at Awapuni at the beginning of the month.
"I would have forgiven her if she had got beaten - she did a bit wrong and went up in the gates, which isn't like her. She's usually pretty quiet," Richardson said. "She didn't like the ground either. She was dipping and diving and still won."
Stablemate Tiptronic is also likely to make one more appearance this season.
"He's still very immature so I'm spreading his races out," Richardson said. "He'll run on April 29 at Te Rapa and then I might tip him out on the hills to develop and strengthen."
The winner of one of his five starts, Tiptronic has finished runner-up in his past two appearances, including a second in the Great Northern Guineas.
"I think he can go through the grades. He's got a lot to learn, but he's very genuine and well-bred. He's a real character " he loves people and being around the stable."
