Racing: Tactics key in Ruakaka juvenile race

Winter tracks can destroy 2-year-old races, but that won't be an excuse in tomorrow's $50,000 Breeders' Stakes at Ruakaka.

Three of the leading chances - Twinkling, Donna Rosita and I'm Insatiable - all have form on soft or heavy footing.

"We won't be using the conditions as an excuse," said Twinkling's co-trainer, Linda Laing.

The Ruakaka track was yesterday rated as soft.

Twinkling won the Foal Stakes at Ellerslie last start, forging strongly in the final 200m through very testing conditions (see front cover).

"I didn't think she'd handle the conditions that day, so she's a resilient filly," said Laing.

"For that reason we're not too worried what the track conditions are, although we would prefer them not to be shifty."

Take no notice of the fact that Twinkling finished second in a Te Awamutu barrier trial since the Foal Stakes.

"She had only a quiet trial," said Laing.

"She missed racing at the abandoned Tauranga raceday and she was getting to the point that she was going to harm herself if she didn't have something to do. That's the only reason she was at the trials."

The Oceanz Seafood-sponsored Listed race has drawn a field full of live chances and tactics will be important.

Laing said the stable would leave how the filly was ridden up to in-form Rogan Norvall.

Fellow Cambridge filly I'm Insatiable made a big impression in winning on debut at Ellerslie on June 4 and is another who was due to run in the Tauranga race.

"I'm happy with the way she's done," said trainer Murray Baker.

I'm Insatiable handled very testing conditions on debut and Baker is not at all worried about the prospect of further rain in Northland.

"I rate her pretty highly, but this will be a good test for her because it's a sharp field."

Despite a No 13 barrier draw, Thomas Russell is confident with Donna Rosita, a runaway five-length winner at Ruakaka on June 22.

Sometimes when the Ruakaka track is rain-affected you will see a horse win by a margin simply because it is almost literally the only one in the field managing the conditions. It can give a false reading.

But Russell is certain that is not the case with Donna Rosita.

"She was just as impressive when she won her barrier trial before racing.

"She won by eight lengths at the trials after doing a few things wrong on the corner, which she did again at Ruakaka.

"After that trials win I was confident she could win on debut and I give her a great chance of winning again, even though it is a much stronger field."

Even the barrier draw does not faze Russell.

"She drew 11 of 11 last time and led easily. She can do the same again, unless someone deliberately rides against her early."

The Moroney-trained Boudi Woudi is on trial for the A$1 million Golden Roses at Rosehill next month.

The Matamata filly has not raced since Boxing Day at Ellerslie. Paul Moroney admits the ask is enormous after such a spell away from raceday, but he is not alarmed.

"She has been in work a fair while, is a clean-winded filly and her trackwork has been strong."

Boudi Woudi is still a maiden, but she has raced only in extremely strong races behind the likes of Kindacross and Mi Jubilee.

"We'll go up there confident that we have one of the better 2-year-olds," said Moroney. "We are encouraged by the class of horse she has raced against and that she can handle some cut in the ground.

"Last week we paid the A$875 payment for the Golden Roses for her. This won't be easy for her, but if she wins and wins well, she'll almost certainly go to Sydney."