Carston eyeing 1000 Guineas with promising filly

Vadamos filly Art De Triomphe made a pleasing start to her spring preparation when winning the Mount Somers Honey (1200m) at Ashburton on Monday.

The Andrew Carston-trained three-year-old settled towards the rear of the field from her outside barrier in the eight-horse field, where jockey Kylie Williams sat patiently throughout.

Williams asked her charge to improve turning for home and she was able to gather in her opposition and runaway to a convincing 1-3/4 length victory over Buoyant, with a further nose back to Emanon in third.

Carston was pleased with the result and is now eyeing a Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) path with his filly. 

“I am really happy with her performance, she will take a lot of benefit from today as well. It is always pleasing to see them come back at three,” he said.

“I thought she had to be the best horse to win today. The instructions were to go back to last and have her relax, she showed a good turn of foot and won quite convincingly in the end.”

Art De Triomphe had three starts as a juvenile for a win and placing, and finished fourth in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton in May.

Carston said she has strengthened into her three-year-old season and is looking forward to the rest of the spring with her.

“She is not an overly big filly but she is definitely a strong horse and is very easy to do anything with,” Carston said.

“She has got a great attitude with a great constitution so that will take her a fair way. 

“She is on a 1000 Guineas path at this stage and will go to the Canterbury Belle (Listed, 1200m) in 12 days time and we will pick a path from there.”

Art De Triomphe was purchased out of Seaton Park’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $80,000 by Go Racing, who race the filly. 

Soft win for Miss Tycoon Rose

Group One performer Miss Tycoon Rose looks in for a strong spring campaign judging by her return to racing at Ashburton on Monday.

The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained four-year-old cruised to victory in the Sims Bakery, Cakes For Every Occasion, an Open 1200m handicap. 

“We don’t trial our good horses as we don’t believe in going to the trials. We were pretty happy with how she has been going and that is basically what we expected of her,” Michael Pitman said of last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) runner-up.

“She is a Group One horse. 

“I am going to talk with (managing owner) Jim Bruford in the morning. There are a lot of races that we could have a crack at through (New Zealand) Cup week.”

The middle day of the Carnival presents a trio of options including the Gr.2 Coupland's Bakeries Mile (1600m), the Gr.3 Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and the Gr.3 Lindauer Stewards Stakes Handicap (1200m).

“I think she would be competitive in any one of them, depending what we aim her for,” Pitman said.

“My first thought is we will probably concentrate on the fillies and mares 1400m.

“If we look after her, there are a lot of good fillies and mares races in New Zealand and that is what we are hoping to aim at throughout the season.”

Earlier on the card talented three-year-old Mackenzie Lad made a pleasing return when fourth over 1200m behind Art De Triomphe. 

“We’re very happy with that run. His coat hasn’t turned yet. He got caught three and four wide all the way and was doing his best work over the last little bit,” Pitman said. 

“He is probably a month off being there and the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) is his target.”