Kenny Rae and Krystal Williams will rely on a promising band of youngsters at Riccarton on Saturday.
The father and daughter training duo will produce their biggest raceday contingent from their new Burnham stable when eight horses head to Saturday’s meeting, seven of those either two- or three-year-olds.
“We have a heap of good young stock at the moment,” Williams said.
“We’re looking forward to stepping them out on Saturday.”
Rae and Williams have Bezique and Illicit Dreams in the Rangiora New World Guineas Trial (1400m), though Illicit Dreams is an uncertain starter on a heavy track.
Ace High gelding Bezique, a winner of his last two starts at Ruakaka, would definitely run, Williams confirmed.
“He arrived down here three weeks ago now. He’s pretty hard just going about his work. He’s really bright and he’ll be a good chance,” Williams said.
“There’s always a question of him racing left-handed, of him racing away from Ruakaka, because he hasn’t done that yet but I don’t see why he won’t stand up to it down here.
“With Illicit Dreams, starting her will depend on how much more rain we get. It was pretty wet last night but the sun’s out now so hopefully that will help the track. We just don’t want to hammer her on a heavy track. It won’t hurt her to wait till Ashburton.”
Illicit Dreams has been close-up behind Viva Vienna in two starts as a three-year-old, performances that have been even more meritorious considering the stable has been working to get on top of her oral issues.
“She’s had a few problems with her teeth and we’ve taken care to get on top of that. The way they are formed we’ve got to keep on cleaning them out otherwise food sticks in there,” Williams said.
“It’s like there’s too much of a gap between her teeth but with age that will close up. Since we’ve been on top of that, her form has really improved.”
Whether she races this weekend or not, Illicit Dreams will have her lead-up to the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 18 in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton on October 14.
Spring feature three-year-old assignments for Bezique and Contributer filly Dancing Dream, who drops back to maiden company on Saturday will depend on how they perform this weekend.
Dancing Dream has placed in seven of her 11 starts, including two second placings to Crocetti, one in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka before a last-start third to Bezique at that track last start.
“We always thought the maiden race was the right race for her to try and pick up a win. She just keeps getting beaten by those nicer three-year-olds. She’s not very big but she’s tough and we’ll try and get her a confidence boost on Saturday,” Williams said.
The stable will produce four two-year-olds in the Nobby Bussell Memorial (800m): Charm Spirit gelding Redemption, Vadamos filly Collective Hearts, Super Seth filly Super Rosa and Rageese filly Porthouse Lady.
All but trials runner-up Porthouse Lady have won trials, with Collective Hearts winning both 600m heats.
“They are four really nice two-year-olds,” Williams said.
“Redemption has got some really nice trials form in the north and Super Rosa has too. Collective Hearts has trialled really well down here. They’re hard to assess but I’d say Super Rosa and Collective Hearts look the best of the four. They are two really mature fillies. Redemption has a lot of speed but he’s still got a lot to learn.”
Rae and Williams’ other runner is Reliable Man seven-year-old The Buffer, who tackles the Coupland’s Bakeries Mile Trial (1400m) at his third start of the preparation with stable apprentice Danika Wilson claiming a 4kg allowance.
“He steps up to 1400m and the track should suit him a lot better so we’re hopeful of a better result. He’s been running well but the races just haven’t suited him,” Williams said.
“Danika is starting to pick up a few more rides now and she’s getting stronger. Hopefully she can pick up a win soon.”
