Tajana’s Oaks path could take a detour if wet weather arrives

Tajana is one of the favourites for the NZ Oaks but her next start could be determined by the weather. Photo / Peter Rubery

A forecast for rain ahead of Saturday’s Trentham meeting has forced a rethink of plans for Tajana as she resumes her classic quest this weekend.

Trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray had originally intended Saturday’s Group 3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes to be Tajana’s first step on the path to next month’s Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m).

However, the threat of rain in the lower North Island through the latter half of the week means The Oaks Stud homebred will also be nominated for a lesser race at Pukekohe on Sunday.

“It’s a pity to have to change plans, but fortunately there’s an option at Pukekohe and even though the stake is only $25,000 versus $200,000, it’s a three-year-old mile at set weights and penalties, so it still works well as a starting point,” Ritchie said.

“A heavy track undid her in the 1000 Guineas [Group 1, 1600m] and we don’t want to put her through that again, plus we wouldn’t want to overtax her in what will be her first start since then.

“She hasn’t had a lead-up trial but we were very happy with how she went in a gallop between races at Tauranga last week and she’s in good order to kick off her campaign.”

George Rooke, who partnered Tajana when she won the Group 3 Sunline Vase (1400m) and finished third in the Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) in the spring, had already been booked for the Desert Gold, and Ritchie hopes he’s also available should she divert to Pukekohe.

Plans for the Darci Brahma filly beyond this weekend extend to the Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa on February 7, followed a fortnight later by her major target, the New Zealand Oaks, which will this year be run at Ellerslie in an earlier time slot on the Avondale Guineas and Cup programme.

“That’s the race we’re setting her for and even though she’s also nominated for the Derby two weeks later, if she runs up to our expectations I’d prefer to save her for a Sydney autumn campaign,” Ritchie said.

“That will depend on discussions with [The Oaks general manager] Rick Williams, but when you look at the record of our fillies in those good races over there, I’d be keen to save her rather than back up in the Derby.”

The Ritchie/Murray stable is also looking forward to the Karaka Millions meeting on Saturday week and Tuxedo’s assignment in the Group 3 Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m).

“He ran very well for second behind First Five at Te Rapa but then didn’t really let down when he finished fifth in the Rich Hill Mile (Group 2, 1600m),” Ritchie said.

“We’ve decided to try him in blinkers when he goes to Ellerslie for the gallops session tomorrow and Opie Bosson is booked to ride him there and in the Aotearoa Classic.”

– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk