Racing: Classy mare sticks to formula

Mary Quant will want to continue her winning form at Te Rapa. Photo / Trish Dunell

Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott will continue to stick to a proven winning formula with the well-bred mare Mary Quant.

The Matamata trainers have the four-year-old in a purple patch of form, which she will look to extend at Te Rapa on Saturday.

As a daughter of the late O'Reilly and the dual group one New Zealand Oaks and Kelt Capital Stakes winner Legs, Mary Quant is bred to be at her best over more ground but she will be restricted to shorter assignments this preparation.

"While she is racing so well at a mile we will be keeping her to that trip," Scott said.

"She'll run in the Rating 85 mile this weekend and as long as she steps up again then we'll be looking for some black type racing for her."

The group one Fiber Fresh NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes at Te Aroha could come into play if Mary Quant continues her winning habit.

"We'll know more after Saturday - her form will decide where we go," Scott said. Mary Quant was successful in her first two appearances in the spring and a couple of minor placings preceded easy 1600m successes on her home track at Matamata.

The stable is also expecting the genuine Persuasive and the lightly tried Divine Duke to continue their good form at Te Rapa.

"Persuasive has finished second at her last two starts and she should be very competitive again and Divine Duke won well last time out," Scott said.

- NZ Racing Desk