HASTINGS - Spring Rain, winner of the Highview Stakes at Hastings last month, should again reign supreme on the same track in tomorrow's $35,000 Lowland Stakes.
The three-year-old fillies' race is the feature at the Masterton Racing Club's meeting, which has been transferred from the Trentham course to Hastings because of wet weather in Wellington.
Spring Rain was said to be only 80 per cent fit when she stepped out in the Highview, with trainer Roger James saying before the race she would be vulnerable.
The Centaine filly did start to tire towards the finish but her class got her through for a half-length win.
James expected Spring Rain to improve several lengths from that run and, if that is the case, she should comfortably take out the second race in the Filly of the Year series tomorrow. The Highview was the first in the series.
Spring Rain drew 12 out of 13 in the Highview but her brilliant speed from the barrier overcame what would normally be a disadvantage.
Tomorrow she has drawn seven out of 11 and should be able to take up prominent position without having to work too hard.
Spring Rain has yet to win beyond 1200m but both James and Spring Rain's regular rider, Vinny Colgan, are confident she will master the 1400m of tomorrow's race.
Chimeara, who chased Spring Rain home in the Highview, should again be one of her main rivals while Star Satire is an improver after her unlucky run in that same race.
Michael Walker rode Chimeara in the Highview and said the filly should get better as the distances get longer.
"I wouldn't be surprised if, over 1600m, she turned the tables on Spring Rain," Walker said.
Star Satire was knocked sideways about 250m from the finish in the Highview and did well to recover and finish just 2-1/2 lengths from the winner. She was also forced to cover extra ground.
- NZPA
Racing: Class should see repeat of Highview
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.