TREACHEROUS BABY resumes at Addington Friday on a programme which could entail elite Australian Group 1 contests before too long.
Moving to Australia seems the Kiwi trend these days and while in this case it will be a temporary one, it pitches at a big target.
“Nathan is looking at the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in May at Menangle as a long term goal” Mark said yesterday
“There has been a change around over there that suits us and the mare”
Formerly famously known as the Ladyship Mile, and won three times by All Stars in a handful of years, the $A200,000 feature was traditionally run at the high powered Miracle Mile carnival but Australian administrators then moved the NSW Oaks and the Queen Elizabeth to May 10 giving stars from here like Treacherous Baby the opportunity of a nice racing lead in.
Treacherous Baby whose dam, O Baby, won a Queensland Oaks for Treacherous Baby’s breeders/owners Braeden and Caroline Whitelock, has not raced since fading in the New Zealand version on November 29 after her outstanding win in the Nevele R Final at her previous start. Previously a “sit and sprint” filly, she was much more than that late last season but luck was not her friend in the NZ Oaks.
From a tricky gate she looked reasonably well placed three wide with cover early but when the cover went to the front she was left parked and was pushing forward from there at the 400 when Duchess of Megzit arrived around from further back with a lovely run into the race which proved too strong for her rivals.Full honours to the placegetters but Treacherous Baby did not have the best suck of the sav on the night.
Now Nathan is happy with her progress after a short break and if at her best looks some value at $2.50 in a competitive but not daunting opposition in the 7.03pm event. Punters have it down to the Baby and Lakelsa at this stage with All You Need is Me the parked horse who left Treacherous Baby parked in the Oaks and then held a placing, looking value at $9.
“Nathan obvious expects improvement from the run but is very happy with her” Mark said.
MIDNIGHT MIKI is the other stable rep. Friday and at $1.90 early in the night is at no fancy odds. He has twice broken 2.23 over 1980, once in a really hot Sires Stakes heat and back to R55 maximum with some nice trial work behind him, looks one of t he better bets of the night for his Trans Tasman syndicate of owners. It features many Purdon Racing stalwarts including former harness reporter of long standing,Mike Grainger,and his wife Sue.
Mark and Nathan have been busy the last few days looking at the northern yearlings coming up at the Sales.
“We’ve had quite a long day today.Actually I am looking forward to a sit down and a glass of red” Mark said
“But its been productive and tomorrow we are doing Woodlands Stud yearlings and that should be most interesting”
Nathan will be back for the racing with the rather exhaustive look at southern yearlings yet to come.