Racing: Smart mare on attack

Stylish Attack steps out at Tauranga today. Photo / Trish Dunell

Group-performed mare Stylish Attack will make an overdue return at Tauranga today.

After a combination of injuries and inclement weather ruled her out for the spring, a start in the Crockford Real Estate Open (1400m) will end a frustrating time for owner-trainer Graeme Hughes.

"She was supposed to be racing in October, but she stood on a shoe in August and that took five weeks to come right," the Cambridge horseman said.

"Then she had another little issue and we had all the wet tracks after that.

"She's very well now and she trialled well. They'll know she's there on Friday and whatever the weather does she needs to get out there and make a start."

Stylish Attack will be chasing a breakthrough black type victory having placings in the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes and the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes on her CV.

"I'd like to take her down for the Wairarapa Breeders' Stakes and have another crack at the Cuddle Stakes."

Stylish Attack also finished a close seventh in last season's Gr.1 Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1600m), a race on her autumn programme again.

Stablemate Blue Shadow is also close to resuming following a trial success in an open 1000m heat at Te Aroha on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley will have a close look at the opposition at his local meeting on Friday week before locking in the next step for Demonetization.

"There's the Rating 75 mile or the three-year-old race over 1400m for him, I'll have a look at the fields before I decide," he said.

- NZ Racing Desk