Andrew Carston is hoping suggestions that he might have one of the best-credentialled maiden gallopers in the South Island are short-lived.
Riccarton trainer Carston will produce Ocean Park three-year-old gelding Milford Sound (NZ) in Thursday’s Piccadilly Books Stocktake Sale Maiden (1600m) on his home track hoping the last-start Listed Southland Guineas (1600m) runner-up can shed his maiden status.
“He was a bit unlucky not to win the race,” Carston said of Milford Sound’s nose defeat at the hands of Chokito (NZ) (Vespa) at Ascot Park last month.
“He’s a progressive horse I really like and he’s come through the Southland Guineas in good order. He’s got to be the horse to beat tomorrow.”
Penalised 18 ratings points for that second placing, Milford Sound is clearly the highest-rated entry in Thursday’s race which could yet become a springboard to chasing stakes-race spoils in the North Island in the coming weeks.
“There are some nice options for him in the North Island. A race like the Manawatu Classic could suit him and if he was to win well tomorrow, I’d consider that,” Carston said.
The Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2000m) is run at Awapuni on April 3.
Bred by North Canterbury nursery Beaufort Downs and raced by John and Sally Wigley, Milford Sound is a granddaughter of Group Two winner and Group One performer Irlanda and hails from the extended family of Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Chenille (NZ) (Pentire) and another Group Two winner and Group One performer in Chintz (NZ) (Savabeel).
Thursday’s meeting could provide races that become the forerunner to further black-type targets for two other members of the Carston stable.
Pins mare Severine (NZ) will tackle the feature Coupland’s Bakeries Celebrating 50 Years Open (1400m), the race a likely leadup for the winner of two of her last three starts into the Gr.3 Valachi Downs South Island Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) back at Riccarton on March 27.
“It’s quite a strong race and I’d imagine there are a few horses in the same boat as us, using this race to lead into the Valachi Downs,” Carston said.
“It should be a good race tomorrow to top her off for that race. She’ll run well but this isn’t her main target. She’s been racing well and the way she won nicely last start, It wouldn’t be a major surprise to see her win again tomorrow.”
Raced by the Go Racing French Cutlet Syndicate, Severine has won five of her 24 starts, including three wins in 13 starts at Riccarton.
Her main rivals shape as the Stephen Marsh-trained stablemates Bronte Beach (NZ (Reliable Man) and Belle Fascino (NZ) (Per Incanto).
Carston is seeking another bold run from Diceland (NZ) (Zacinto) in the Fern Law Lawyers Maiden (1400m) to earn her a shot at the Canterbury legs of the south Island filly of the year series.
“She’s been racing really well. She’s drawn terribly again (barrier 18) but she’s a progressive filly and this is a winnable race for her, even from there,” said Carston, whose other entry at the meeting is Reliably Perky (NZ) (Reliable Man) in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 1600.
Carston will also be keeping close tabs on a current plus.gavelhouse.com auction entry, his former star filly Miss Federer (NZ) (Swiss Ace).
A winner of five of her 14 starts, including the Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) at New Plymouth and three Listed age group features in the south, the Swiss Ace mare is sure to attract plenty of interest from breeders.
“Unfortunately she broke down after she ran in the Stewards last year. She had a chip on her knee and she’d already had surgery twice before so I thought three times is enough for her,” Carston said.
“She’s as good as gold now but she’s a syndicate horse and they don’t want to breed from her so that’s why she’s up for sale. She’s the toughest filly I’ve trained. she was quick and she had real ability.”
