Ascot Park trainer Lisa Vaughan will head to Riverton on Saturday where she hopes to make it back-to-back wins in the Kennedy Building Riverton Cup (2147m).
Former stable runner Asathought, a half-sister to multiple Group One winner Avantage, won last year’s edition of the race when it held Listed status, and while it has lost its stakes status, Vaughan would dearly love to continue her good record in the race.
She will be represented in the race on Saturday by last start Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m) winner Lochnaberry, who Vaughan believes will thrive on the rain-affected track, which was rated a Heavy9 on Wednesday morning.
“She has trained on well. She doesn’t take much racing, so she generally goes well a bit better fresh. She does like a bit of cut in the track as well,” Vaughan said.
Initially set to carry 54kg, Lochnaberry will get some weight relief courtesy of apprentice jockey Bailey Rogerson’s two-kilogram claim, and Vaughan said the northern hoop has a great association with her mare.
“She (Rogerson) has got a really good rapport with that horse, she has had three wins this season on her,” Vaughan said.
“I think Bailey is a really underrated jockey. She suits my horses and has had quite a few wins on them this season.”
Win, lose or draw, Lochnaberry is set to have a spell following Saturday’s assignment and will return in the spring with an eye towards the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton in November.
“I think I will spell her because the ground is still quite good on the farm,” Vaughan said. “I will get her in during winter and look at an early spring campaign. Two miles would be really good for her, so we might even look at the New Zealand Cup, depending on how she comes up.”
Vaughan is also excited about the prospects of stablemate Master Abraham in the Rosie Brown Training/Forde Auto Services (1400m).
The four-year-old son of Derryn has placed in two of his last three starts and Vaughan said he will lap up the heavy footing this weekend.
“Master Abraham has been knocking on the door for some time,” she said. “He is going to be better with a bit more time, but he should get one on a wet track soon hopefully.
“He has been waiting for some give in the track, but whether it is going to be too heavy for him (I don’t know). It has just taken a while for him to switch on.”
Vaughan’s trio of runners will be rounded out by last start winner Cockahoop in the TAB Southern Alps Golden Ticket (1600m), but she said the heavy conditions will be less to his liking.
“Cockahoop has come through his run really well,” Vaughan said. “The only hiccup with him I think will be stepping up to a mile on a heavy track, if it were a better track I would be more confident over a mile.
“We will see how he goes, but it is a bit of a step-up for him.”
Meanwhile, Vaughan will return to Riverton for their Easter Monday meeting where she will be represented by Return With Honour and Bonsai Bob.
“Bonsai Bob is a three-year-old who is racing on Monday in the maiden race. He has only had two starts and he went really well last start,” Vaughan said. “Hopefully he will have a chance on Monday, but he will be a nicer horse next year.”
