Whanganui horse La Fille En Jeu looking for southern hatrick

Whanganui mare La Fille En Jeu has already bagged a southern stakes double and will be given the opportunity to complete a hat-trick at Riccarton tomorrow.

The free-going mare led all the way to win last month's Listed Christchurch Casino Easter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton where two weeks earlier she had claimed top honours in the Group 3 South Island Breeders' Stakes (1600m).

"We always planned to try and get both races and we left her down here with Les and Richard Didham so it's a big thanks to them," said trainer Nigel Auret, who bred and races La Fille En Jeu with his wife Adaire.

She will take her place in the Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) tomorrow.

La Fille En Jeu, who is by Mettre En Jeu who stood at the Aurets' Letham Thoroughbreds operation until his recent passing, has been ridden by Lisa Allpress who rides again tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Speedy two-year-old Khimar War credited former Highview Stud stallion, Sweet Orange with his first New Zealand winner when he dominated his rivals over 1000m at Riccarton last start.

Out of the stakes placed mare Flame Of Atlanta, Khimar War had impressed when running third on debut last month and was well supported to improve on that performance in late April.

Allowed to find his feet in the early rush for positions, Khimar War closed quickly on the pacemakers early in the home straight before bursting clear inside the 200m mark to win as he liked from Hapi Ella and the fast finishing Miss Curious.

They are both rivals again in tomorrow's Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes over 1200m.

"He's a very exciting horse and he's not just a two-year-old," said trainer Lance Robinson.

"He's really surprised me with what he's shown as we only really ran him for education, but he's just kept getting better and better."

While Robinson is eyeing the main prize in the Berkley as the season finale for his charge, he is quick to admit he is looking forward to the gelding's three-year-old campaign with relish.

"I said to Jacob (Lowry) to ride him a wee bit quiet as I only wanted to see him finding the line.

"He showed his true worth and I'm just rapt as I think I have a really nice three-year-old on my hands." - NZ Racing Desk

IAIN HYNDMAN'S RICCARTON TIPS

R1: The Precious One, Redefine, Our Teddy Boy

R2: Shanzino, So Brazen, Shezatoucha

R3: Euphoria, Residential, Tomm Jones

R4: Czaritsa, All Dressed Up, Vice Marshall

R5: Khimar War, Peaceful, Secret Allure

R6: William Wallace, Upperhand, Nightcap

R7: Who Dares Win, The Gordonian, Son Of Zac

R8: La Fille En Jeu, Son Of Maher, Nashville

R9: Dark Princess, Red River Rock, Egyptian Lad

Best Bet: The Precious One (R1)
Egyptian Lad
Best Bet: The Precious One (R1)