Waikato trained horses are sufficiently represented in the Group I $200,000 Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha on Saturday.
The feature fillies and mares event is led by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan's owned Abidewithme. The Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards six year old makes her welcome return to New Zealand racing after a brief campaign in Australia with Peter Moody.
The Redoute's Choice mare finished third in last year's event, when Diademe won and set a Te Aroha track record of 1:33.5 for the mile. Abidewithme's last start in this country was a hard fought neck win here at Te Rapa in the Group II Travis Stakes (2000m) on April 25. She will have the services of Grant Cooksley for the first time.
A great supporter of Waikato Racing Club, The Oaks Stud - has Recite from John Bary's stable. The Darci Brahma mare finished third here at Te Rapa in the Group I NRM Sprint (1400m) at her last start. She finished second in this event two years ago, and has drawn nicely at four and the in-form Michael McNab has the mount..
The Oaks Stud resident stallion Darci Brahma is represented with three runners in the event, with Rosa Lila and Candle In The Wind. Rosa Lila, from the Steven Ramsey and Julia Ritchie stable was an impressive last start winner of the Group II Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham. Owned by Sir Peter Vela, the mare has drawn wide at barrier 14.
Cambridge trained horses has four representatives. Lee Somerville leading a two pronged attack with Celebrity Miss and Empress Elect. Celebrity Miss is having her first start since failing on New Years Day in the Group III City of Auckland Cup (2400m) on a slow7 track. She does benefit from winning an open catch-weight trial at Matamata a fortnight ago.
Ruud Not Too and Big Dreamer round off the Cambridge trained runners.
Matamata pair Mary Quant from the O'Sullivan/Scott stable and Bev and Ken Kelso trained Perfect Fit, both have huge chances in the Group 1 event.
The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes, was the brainchild of former Te Aroha Jockey Club secretary and NZTBA Waikato branch president Don Hancock who wanted to put together a field of top fillies and mare, while giving breeders a direct interest in its success. This year's running sees over half the runners owned by their breeders.
