He might be the two-year-old trainer of the moment but Matamata's Jamie Richards isn't convinced his debutante filly Folk Dress should be favourite for Saturday's Gr.3 Woburn Farm 2YO Classic (1200m) at New Plymouth Raceway.

 

Richards produced a Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) trifecta at Ellerslie last Saturday from the five two-year-olds Te Akau Racing had in the race but he was more guarded about adding another juvenile feature this weekend.

 

"We're pleased with her. We've put her in at Matamata on Sunday and at New Plymouth, which is clearly the tougher race, but she's drawn wide at Matamata so we'll probably give her the trip away," Richards said.

 

"It's a strong field at New Plymouth, but she's a nice filly and we'd like to give her the opportunity. I expect her to run well. She's a top four chance anyhow."

 

Pierro filly Folk Dress was a spectacular 7 1/4-length trial winner at Cambridge in early January, which has earned her the top position in the TAB's final field market for the Woburn Farm Classic at $4.

 

"We do like her but she's only having her first start against some pretty well performed ones so it's not going to be easy."

 

Folk Dress will carry the Coolmore silks, having joined Te Akau last year after she was withdrawn from the Karaka yearling sales following a sales preparation at Matamata's Rich Hill Stud.

 

Richards said he would consider Folk Dress for the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders' Stakes (1200m) on February 23.

 

Meanwhile, Richards revealed Karaka Million winner Probabeel was in line to race in Sydney at the upcoming autumn carnival.

 

"Probabeel is just having 10 days off at home. We'll sit down with Brendon and Jo (Lindsay, owners) once we get through the sales and make a bit of a plan, but the word from the team is they'd love to get her ready for the Sires' Produce in Australia and that could include a lead-up run three weeks beforehand,” he said. “She's a pretty exciting filly. The future is incredibly exciting for her."

 

The Gr.1 ATC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) is run at Randwick on April 6, three weeks after the Gr.2 Magic Night Stakes (1100m) for two-year-old fillies at Rosehill on March 16.