Well-performed mare Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock) will have conditions to suit on Saturday in her quest to add a major title to her CV before the curtain comes down on her career.
The daughter of Tavistock will return to her favourite course to contest the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham where previous visits have been rewarded with three wins, including success in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m).
“She has been served by Proisir and we’re waiting to see if she is in foal,” said Shaune Ritchie, who trains the six-year-old with Colm Murray for breeder-owner Sir Peter Vela.
“If she is, she’ll only have a couple more runs and she is Group One placed and a Group winner so there’s only one mountain left to climb.
“If she can nail a Group One then that would be fantastic. We’re starting to run out of opportunities, and this is without doubt the best she’s had.”
Pearl Of Alsace has also pleased both of her trainers and raceday rider Michael McNab in her build-up.
“Her trial at Tauranga before the first race the other day was as good as you’re going to get from her,” Ritchie said.
“She was hard held in third and McNab got off and said that’s the best she’s trialled, so we seem to have her in the right order for the right conditions.
“She doesn’t seem to let down quite the same on the firmer tracks in summer so with it being a Slow 7 there’ll certainly be some give in the ground.
“She has a great record both at the mile and at Trentham and dropping down to 53kg is going to be advantageous as well. She comes into the race really nicely.”
Pride Of Alsace’s only miss on the track came at her most recent appearance when sixth in the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m).
“She got within range and then lugged in, she hung in a little bit when she would normally quicken and just felt the ground,” Ritchie said.
“There were no muscle problems post that, but she’s just not the same when the tracks are hard.”
The stable will also be represented by Tycoon Prince in the Gr.2 Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m) and Hammer Time in the Wellington Seamarket Handicap (2200m).
The Cambridge Stud-bred and raced Tycoon Prince backed up his maiden win with a strong last-start third at Te Rapa behind Damask Rose and Sought After.
“It was a tidy race and when Damask Rose went past him, she gave him a bit of a touch up, he was only ever going to run third but he should have been a shade closer,” Ritchie said.
“He’s improving and we don’t have illusions of grandeur of knocking off Savaglee, he’s the best colt and he’s proven that.
“Tycoon Prince is stud-owned and black type is extremely important as Brendan and Jo (Lindsay) have the mare, so if he can place we’ll take that as a big win.
“I think he will continue to improve he’s quite a lanky horse and how far he’ll go I’m not sure, but I don’t think the 1400m will be a problem and he can race on pace.”
Hammer Time has won one of his two starts up to 1600m this campaign and will be suited to a rise in distance.
“He’s going to be hard to beat, we’ve tried him over ground before and for a variety of reasons hasn’t shined but he’s much stronger now,” Ritchie said.
“The last time we tried him, he stood on a nail and the shoe went in and he was in quite a bit of pain. He works, moves and looks like a stayer so maybe it’s the right time for him to run a trip.”
