No Plan Be (NZ) (Tarzino) will bid to continue a proud family record at Ruakaka when she resumes on her home course on Wednesday.
The four-year-old has been patiently handled by trainer Michelle Bradley and will run in the Croft Poles Maiden (1600m) with Kelly Myers booked to guide her fortunes from a handy barrier (six).
By Tarzino, No Plan Be is a daughter of the Darci Brahma mare Candle In The Wind (NZ) who was a seven-time winner, with five of her victories posted at Ruakaka where she was prepared by Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs.
She also showed her quality when successful in the Karaka Stayers’ Cup (2200m) and finished runner-up in her farewell performance in the Gr.3 City of Auckland Cup (2400m).
No Plan Be is her first foal to race and she has produced encouraging runs for fifth in both of her appearances.
“She has improved and it took us a little while to work her out,” Bradley said.
“She flew home in her first start at Pukekohe and then we raced her here and she hit a flat spot. She’s not a big filly and I turned her out after that and she had a month off.
“She’s straight into a mile again and she looks great, I’ve been pretty happy with her work.”
No Plan Be will be one of a quartet of runners for Bradley with Haller (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) and Mondavi (NZ) (Dissident) to make their debuts while Shockatillatap (NZ) (Shocking) returns from a break.
Haller will kick off his career in the Ruakaka Races – NZ’s Best Bet In Winter Maiden (1600m) with Matthew Cameron to partner the son of Satono Aladdin, whose family is also well known to Bradley.
“He is a half-brother to Bosch (two wins) and Top Brass (six wins) and early on he looked like he might be a sprinting type, but he’s changed in shape and body style and showing me signs he’ll be more of a staying type like Bosch,” she said.
“I’ve put him in at the deep end a little bit. I did have him in the 1400m but will start him over a mile fresh-up and he’s done well.”
Mondavi is a newcomer to the stable and will make her first appearance in the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m) with Vinie Colgan in the saddle.
“She came to me this preparation and I haven’t trialled her, but she did have two trials previously,” Bradley said.
“I’m still learning about her so it will be interesting to see how she goes. She’s a work in progress and you have to start somewhere.”
Shockatillatap will benefit from his outing in the Whangarei ITM Handicap (1200m), in which he’ll be ridden by Cameron, and may be seen in a new role this preparation.
“He’s going to need the run and we have talked about jumping him and we may still do that,” Bradley said.
Meanwhile, promising four-year-old Dame Lilibic (Rubick) was spelled following her impressive premier victory at Ellerslie last month and her third success from 12 starts.
“I was absolutely thrilled with that win she got a virus so she’s in the paddock,” Bradley said.
“She’ll have a decent break now and will come back when the weather really starts to turn nasty.
“She’ll probably have her first run back here in September and she’s an exciting mare.”
