International trainer Graeme Rogerson has won 14 races in three different countries in the past week and he will be hoping his luck holds when he seeks victories in features on both sides of the Tasman tomorrow.
Rogerson and his New Zealand partner Keith Hawtin mount a two-pronged attack on the $245,000 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham with the favourite La Bella Dama and Massalia.
The Australian arm of Rogerson's stable also has two runners in the $A400,000 Inglis Classic in Sydney - Fair Embrace and Grimer.
Rogerson, who is currently supervising his team in Dubai, has had eight wins in Australia since last Thursday. His Dubai and New Zealand stables have recorded three wins each since last Friday.
La Bella Dama is clearly the stable's main hope in tomorrow's oaks though Hawtin is not ruling out Massalia.
"She is a staying filly and should have won a couple of races by now," Hawtin said.
"Damien Oliver was impressed with her when he rode her at Ellerslie and suggested we try her in the oaks."
Massalia could only manage fourth when stepped up to 2170m at Tauranga on January 10 but she got her head up in the straight and Hawtin felt there might have been something amiss with her.
"We couldn't find anything wrong with her so we decided to press on. They are only three once."
La Bella Dama has come solid in recent weeks with impressive victories in the Ellerslie fillies races of the $100,000 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) on December 26 and $50,000 Royal Stakes (2000m) on January 2.
Her record suggests she is best when the sting is out of the ground but Hawtin is not concerned about the prospect of a firm track.
"Her first five starts were on firm tracks and she was never out of the money."
Hawtin believes her chances tomorrow hinge on whether she settles.
"I said she could win the Royal Stakes if she settled and the same applies in the oaks," he said.
La Bella Dama drew the outside barrier and came from last to win the Royal Stakes. She has fared better in the draw on Saturday - she will jump from gate five - and should be able to get a good smother.
But Hawtin is not getting carried away about her prospects.
"It's not a one-horse race. Ma Victoire, All In Grace and Elevenses will all be tough," he said.
The stable has three other runners at Trentham tomorrow- Smiling Like, Million Stars and Danceforme.
Smiling Like tackles the $50,000 weight-for-age Trentham Stakes. Her performance will dictate whether she tackles the Wellington Cup next Saturday.
"If she's running on, I'll be happy," Hawtin said.
La Bella Dama was favourite in the fixed odds market for the oaks when the TAB closed last night.- $5 La Bella Dama; $6 Elevenses; $6.50 All In Grace, Ma Victoire; $8.50 Gordon's; $12 Conquistar, Singalong; $20 Danasia; $25 Spirit Of The Nite, Tapildo; $30 Dominant, Tangara; $35 Aiglette, Massalia, $40 Club Girl, Gone, Millie Munroe; $50 Ynot Pita.
- NZPA
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