A rain-affected Riverton track poses both positives and negatives for Leda Beck, as she prepares one of the leading contenders for the Bupa Care Services Francolin Stakes (1400m).
Beck’s consistent mare Adiktiv Passion (NZ) (Ghibellines) carries sterling form into the fillies and mares feature, with three wins in her last five outings, including a one-length victory over subsequent Gr.3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) winner Burgie on March 10.
Adiktiv Passion has struck nothing worse than a Soft7 in her current campaign, and her Winton-based trainer is wary of how the downgraded conditions may affect the five-year-old daughter of Ghibellines.
“She’s been very well, but it might just be the track that upsets her on Saturday,” Beck said.
“It’s a Heavy10 at the moment and still raining, so I can’t see it turning much better than that.
“She’s had a couple of tries in heavy conditions, but they were in three-year-old company when she was a bit younger. Now that she’s a bit older, she may handle it if it’s loose enough.”
Beck has engaged North Island apprentice Bailey Rogerson, her two-kilogram claim enhancing the mare’s chances in a strong 12-horse field.
“Sometimes she’s a bit slow out of the gates, but if she can be as handy as possible from there (barrier six) would be ideal,” Beck said.
“If the track was on the better side, she’d definitely be capable of featuring in the money. But these races don’t come up too often for us down here, so we have to have a go.”
In contrast, Beck’s other runner Par Tee (NZ) thrives on softer ground, the Verdi mare accumulating three wins and a further eight minor placings in Soft or Heavy conditions.
Par Tee will contest the TAB Southern Alps Golden Ticket (1600m) in the hands of Samantha Wynne, with the winner gaining an automatic place in the lucrative $350,000 final at Riccarton Park on April 13.
“She enjoys the heavy track, and fresh-up over the mile will suit her as well. We’re not worried about the track for her,” Beck said.
