Filante Etoile could kick off a bumper weekend for South Auckland trainer Richard Yuill in the $100,000 Waikato Gold Cup at Te Rapa today.
Filante Etoile, runner-up in the group one 2004 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), was last night rated a $7.50 second favourite on the TAB's fixed-odds market for
the group two Waikato Cup (2400m).
Good enough to run sixth in this year's Brisbane Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm, Filante Etoile's last start Avondale Cup (2200m) fifth from a wide draw was one of the best runs of the race.
"She's ready," Yuill said. "She ran a top race over 2200m last time, though she probably covered 2400m, and I can't see that there's much difference. We've had no hiccups, except the draw."
As she did at Avondale, Filante Etoile has again drawn wide today. But to counter that she has accomplished international jockey Grant Cooksley in the saddle and a long run into the first bend.
Yuill, who trains at Pukekohe, rated the Jim Gibbs-trained $2.35 fixed-odds favourite Kerry O'Reilly as the horse to beat but added: "Of anything in the race, we're his biggest danger. Below that they are a pretty even lot."
Waikato Gold Cup weekend promises to be a busy one for Yuill with the possibility it could also prove to be quite lucrative.
He has four other runners at Te Rapa today - Abbey Drive in race one, Senorita Ivory and Larrinka (race eight) and Sir Kinloch (race nine).
At Ellerslie on Sunday his hand is even stronger. Yuill will saddle Dr Green's older Zabeel half-sister, Sarvon, along with Stupendo and Sherileon in race one.
In race five he has Gallions Reach and Breezed, in race seven Black Panther, in race eight Zaza's Trumpet, and last start winner Ala Moana in race 10.
- NZPA
