Racing: Autridge sings in the rain

Wet weather did not scare last season's leading trainer Stephen Autridge heading into the $35,000 Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie yesterday.

"The wetter the better," quipped Autridge before the running of the 1400-metre event when discussing the prospects of consistent 3-year-old filly Vegas Showgirl.

The daughter of Al Akbar did not disappoint when coasting to a 3 1/2- length victory over Tsarina Belle and Echo Maid in the fillies' feature.

"She's heading to Trentham on October 22 and she'll most probably go around in the Wellington Guineas [$60,000 Group Two event] if we strike a wet track.

"The other option on that day is to start her in a $20,000 event for 3-year-old fillies, so we do have a couple of options up our sleeve.

"The race at Trentham will fit in nicely with her preparation heading into the 1000 and 2000 Guineas which are held in Christchurch a few weeks later.

"I think on a wet track that she would give the colts a really good run for their money and she's also very competitive on a firmer track.

"She's a very honest and consistent filly and she's the type of racehorse all owners would love to race, because she has finished out of the first three place-getters on only two occasions in 11 starts.

"Her first-up run at Hastings may have looked a little ordinary on paper, but I was happy with the effort and she's only going to get better with more racing this season."

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The John Rowles syndicate will not have to wait too long to have another racehorse competing.

The 40-strong syndicate tasted winning success at Ellerslie in the opening event, a juvenile race, when Ifionlyhadtime posted a determined half-length victory over Chant and Another Luskin.

Senior co-trainer with Autridge - and master horse trader - Graeme Rogerson, selected the colt at the yearling sales and paid "about $35,000" for him.

"I'll now tip him out into a paddock for a four-week break, because he has done a nice job in the two race starts I've given him," said Autridge.

"The syndicate are enjoying themselves here at Ellerslie today and they won't have to wait long to get the other 2-year-old they race to the trials.

"They also own a filly and she's coming up quite well in training at home in Hamilton.

"If she continues to improve she'll be racing before Christmas."

Ifionlyhadtime was far from disgraced in his race debut when finishing second behind million-dollar colt Don Garcia at Hastings earlier this month.

He showed good balance for a young athlete competing on a heavy track, fighting on gallantly in the home stretch to defeat the solid finishing pair of Chant and Another Luskin.

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High class filly Twinkling scored a hard fought half-length victory over Tom Tom Cat and Gaze in the Bonecrusher Stakes.

The well-built daughter of Star Way and former outstanding staying mare Limitless was turned out in superb order by trainers Royce Dowling and Linda Laing following a three-month break from racing.