La Crique on song for Derby

Katrina and Simon Alexander are experiencing the ride of a lifetime with their star filly La Crique and they are hoping that golden run continues at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The daughter of Vadamos heads into the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) as a $1.85 favourite with bookmakers after a string of successes.

La Crique has won five of her seven starts, placing in her two other outings, and has enjoyed success in her last three starts, including the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham in January before winning the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie a fortnight ago. 

The Alexanders have been pleased with her progress since then and they don’t believe the 2400m distance of the Derby will hold any concerns for their filly.

“She just seems to box on and she eats phenomenally at home,” Katrina Alexander said. 

“Her work is the same every day, she listens well in her work, you can do what you want with her. You can have a very relaxed day or up the tempo if need be. She has been a pleasure.

“I don’t think the extra 300m will be a problem. She could have gone 2400m last start, in my belief. 

“It is going to benefit others in the field that are looking for more ground, and it will all come down to the tempo of the race.

“I know she will do her best. She seems to be on track for that. You just like to see horses get every opportunity when they have got a lot of ability, and I hope that is the case.”