Bosch has given trainer Michelle Bradley success at Ellerslie before. Photo/Therese Davis
All roads are leading to a home-track black-type feature for talented youngster She’s No Saint, who has already proved competitive with her leading age-group rivals.
The Ruakākā-prepared juvenile has acquitted herself well during her short career in strong company and will have an opportunity at Ellerslie this weekend to shed her maiden tag.
Trainer Michelle Bradley has been pleased with the daughter of Prague’s progress ahead of a tilt at The Lawn Shed 2YO (1200m), with a loftier target to follow later in the filly’s preparation.
“I’d love to get a win out of her, and my main plan is to aim toward the Northland Breeders’ Stakes (Group 3, 1200m) here at Ruakākā in August,” she said.
She didn’t waste any time showing her quality during her first campaign, with a debut second behind subsequent Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) winner Incandescent, with third placegetter Enchantment going on to win the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m).
She’s No Saint then ran third to the impressive Te Encuentro to qualify for a crack at the country’s richest 2-year-old prize.
“She’s been in strong fields, and I was really happy with her first couple of races to get into the Karaka Millions [Listed, 1200m] and didn’t disgrace herself at all,” Bradley said.
She’s No Saint finished sixth behind Australian visitor Dream Roca and, following a break, was unplaced in her resuming run when she was squeezed at the start and got on heels after over-racing.
“She’s come through it well and she’s bright, happy and fit, and I just hope we get a better run in transit,” Bradley said.
“She got through a heavy track at the Avondale trials, so I don’t think she’ll mind Ellerslie.”
Wyndspelle filly Iridescent is due a change of fortune in the Myracehorse Handicap (1200m) after copping an interrupted run when fifth last time out at Te Rapa.
“She was extremely unlucky and flew home. I think the track conditions will be right up her alley, so I’m expecting another good run from her,” Bradley said.
Bosch will step out in the Yourride Handicap (2100m), and improvement is hoped for with two runs under his belt this preparation.
“I was super happy with his work this morning, there was a lot of moisture in the track and he absolutely thrived on it,” Bradley said.
“It’s usually at his third start that he starts showing something, and I would like to think he can finish a lot closer than he did at his last start.”
Meanwhile, Satono Aladdin filly Watermelon Sugar will bid to break her maiden in the Eagle Technology (1200m) after an eye-catching fifth at her most recent appearance.
“I’m happy with her. She didn’t get the easiest of runs at Tauranga and, once again, [I’m] hoping for improvement from her,” Bradley said.
– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk