New Zealand’s top filly Risque is set to be prepared for an Oaks campaign in the Autumn after she arrives at Lindsay Park on the weekend.
David Hayes, above, and co-trainer Tom Dabernig will take over the training of NZ filly Risque. Photo by Taron Clarke.
Risque is raced under The Oaks Stud banner for Dick Karreman who wanted to give the Darci Brahma filly every opportunity to collect a Group 1 prize in Australia over the Autumn and Winter Carnivals next year.
Matamata trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards have been in charge of Risque to date, preparing her for three wins form six starts, including her last start victory in the Group 1 NZ$300,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 43rd 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park, NZ, on November 14.
Autridge was naturally disappointed to lose such a smart filly, but will look to the future without her and focus on the smart team of horses under his care.
“When you’re talking the country’s leading filly it hurts, but you’ve just got to cop it,” Autridge told the The Informant.
Co-trainers David Hayes and Tom Dabernig will assess Risque when she arrives on Sunday and begin planning her New Year campaign that could include one or more of the three Oaks that will be run in Eastern Australia next year, the Group 1 $1m Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick in April, the Group 1 $400,000 Schweppes Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville in early May or the Group 1 $500,000 Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm later in the month.
The Oaks Stud general Manager Rick Williams said that Risque has had a short break and is back in work and will arrive at Lindsay Park in good order.
“She had some time in the paddock and has been on the walker before going back into full work, but Dick has made the decision to send her to David Hayes,” Williams said.
“I can understand his reasoning – there are so many opportunities for her over there. It’s called reality.
“Whether she’s prepared for the ATC Oaks or perhaps the South Australian Oaks or the Queensland three-year-old races, that will be up to David to decide once he gets her going.”
Risque has earned over NZ$233,000 in prizemoney from her three wins and will be a great acquisition for the Lindsay Park Team.
