Racing: Daffodil primed for comeback in midweek sprint

Daffodils are traditionally the first encouraging sign of spring.

Daffodil, the equine version, is very definitely that as she prepares to resume her stunning career at Hastings tomorrow with the Kelt Stakes her ultimate mission.

As New Zealand's top racehorses wait in the wings to barrier trial as they prepare to resume racing in a month or more, late July meetings are almost always dreary affairs.

The Hawkes Bay meeting gets a massive boost with the reappearance of this year's AJC Oaks winner.

In the way that New Zealand winters these days pass a lot quicker than many realise, it almost seems no time since Daffodil won the A$500,000 ($628,000) Oaks at Randwick.

In fact, that was on April 18 and trainer Kevin Gray says the one month the talented filly spent in the spelling paddock was perfect for her.

"She did very well at her time in the paddock at Waikato Stud."

Given that Daffodil earned $353,808 in winning the Oaks and has banked $686,583 already, a $12,000 July sprint may seem an odd choice for the filly's resumption.

But it all seems logical to Gray.

"All that big money [the Hastings spring treble] is right on our back door and she needs to be ready for that," he said yesterday.

The fact that Hastings is generally in better winter condition than most racetracks also put tomorrow's race on the radar.

"It's only rated at 7, which is a hell of a lot better than going around on an 11 track for her first run back.

"And I think Garry [owner Garry Chittick] has plans to take her to Australia a little later, so she's got to be up and running to compete with them over there."

Gray even gave Daffodil a gallop between races at Otaki last Saturday.

"You can do a bit with her because the great thing about her is that nothing worries her.

"She's never missed a beat since being back in work.

"Running around Hastings over 1200m with 4kg off her back through my apprentice [Aimee Taylor] will do her the world of good without knocking her around."

Although best over 1600m and at middle distances, Daffodil is a three-times winner at tomorrow's distance.

She has two things in her favour - only six opponents and with 51.5kg is in remarkably well for a group one winner.

She will be receiving 2.5kg and more from every other runner except her stablemate Mega Belt, to be ridden by another stable apprentice, Bryce Holland, who will have the same weight.

Topweight Samurai, another classy performer resuming, will carry his full 58kg in the seven-horse field which has also attracted the capable winter galloper Woodbury Belle and promising types Go Danny and Yelracm.

STAR RETURN
* AJC Oaks winner Daffodil resumes racing at Hastings tomorrow.
* Trainer Kevin Gray says he needs to get the high class filly going if she is to be ready for the Hastings spring treble, including the Kelt Capital Stakes.
* Daffodil will be ridden by stable apprentice Aimee Taylor and will carry just 51.5kg in the open sprint.