Racing: Francaletta has Tarzino in her sights

Top-flight targets await the classy mare Francaletta. Photo / Race Images

Francaletta's final campaign will include group one options at home and away.

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained mare is expected to resume in the group two Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa on August 18 and then head to Hastings for the group one Tarzino Trophy (1400m) a fortnight later.

"We'll have a crack at the Hawke's Bay group one and hopefully on to Australia," owner Lib Petagna's bloodstock manager Bruce Perry said yesterday.

"She could go to Sydney for the Epsom or to Melbourne for the Cantala Stakes."

A half-sister by High Chaparral to the multiple European stakes winner Asset, Francaletta has a date at Waikato Stud later in the year.

"She'll be going to Savabeel in the spring," Perry said.

Francaletta has won six of her 11 starts, including the group three Taranaki Breeders' Stakes (1400m) and she finished runner-up in the group two Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1400m) at her next appearance.

She then headed to Sydney where she was a first-up third in the group two Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick before an injury suffered when unplaced in the group one Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill ended her campaign.

The five-year-old was struck during the running, which resulted in a deep puncture wound in a leg.

Australian plans have also been made for Francaletta's stablemate Peaceful, who won the Listed Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa earlier this month, and the Stephen Marsh-trained Santa Catarina.

"They will both go over with their respective trainers if they come up well enough," Perry said.

"We'll probably look to give them a run here first to make sure they're on target."

Peaceful's main aim will be the group one Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield in October.

Last-start Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1100m) winner Santa Catarina will be set for the group two Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) in September as a lead in to the group one Flight Stakes (1600m), also at Randwick.

- NZ Racing Desk