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Black type vital for mare; Jockey key to chances; Trainer rues Kumara abandonment ;

Black type vital for mare

Asama Blue has another black type opportunity at Trentham on Saturday to boost her future value before the curtain falls on her racing career.

The Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie-trained daughter of Fastnet Rock, who is in foal to Tavistock, will tackle the Gr.3 Tui Backings Winners Since 1889 Anniversary (1600m).

“She’s all good and she really did us proud at Te Rapa, hopefully we have a bit more luck on Saturday,” said Julia Ritchie, who prepares Asama Blue with Steven Ramsay.

The Irish-bred Asama Blue finished a last-start fifth in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m).

Jockey key to chances

The booking of Jason Waddell for the promising Lovers Lane in the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series Race (1400m) at Matamata on Friday might be the key to further success.

“She’s very well and she’s back with a rider that knows her well,” trainer Danica Guy said.

Waddell guided the lightly-tried mare to her maiden victory at Avondale in November.

Most recently, Lovers Lane finished seventh in the Dunstan Feeds Championship Final (1500m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

“She doesn’t help herself by being tardily away from the gates,” Guy said. “Unfortunately, she’s drawn wide again, but she’s not racing against such a strong field.”

Trainer rues Kumara abandonment

Jo-Ann Gordon is rueing a missed opportunity with her last-start Greymouth Cup winner (2000m) The Gordonian.

The Ascot Park trainer fancied their chances in Saturday’s Vernon and Vazey Truck Parts Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m), only for the meeting to be added to the long list of abandonments.

“He was good to go and a wet track would have been right up his alley,” Gordon said.

Unfortunately, it has been too wet in the Kumara region with 200ml of rainfall this week and further heavy rain forecast.

Six horses galloped at Kumaraon Thursday morning and the track was then deemed unsuitable for racing following an inspection by Racing Integrity Unitand club representatives.