Ashburton trainers Sarah and Matthew Smith are looking forward to heading to Oamaru on Thursday where they will line-up a trio of runners.

Daphne Dior will make her southern return in the Paul Richards 65 (1200m) after venturing to Ellerslie in March to tackle the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m).

While she finished last in the nine-horse field, her trainers said she benefited a lot from the trip away and they are looking forward to getting her back to the track after enjoying some time in the paddock.

“She flew up (to Auckland) and trucked back, which took a wee bit out of her,” Sarah Smith said. “We chucked her out for a wee bit and it has definitely made her mature a lot. She went up by herself and she did everything right in terms of eating and travelling, it would have done her the world of good.

“We will put a line through last start, she did do a lot wrong at Auckland and got on the wrong leg around that bend going the other way.

“She will possibly need the run on Thursday, she will improve off that. She tries really hard. She raced on a Heavy10 at Kumara, so I think she will get through the ground alright.”

Daphne Dior will continue on the Pearl Series path this preparation, missing out on her initial Pearl Series target at Phar Lap Raceway earlier this month after the meeting was abandoned, but will get back on track in her next start.

“She was heading for that Pearl Series race at Timaru, so this is just our backup option,” Smith said. “We will go onto Wingatui, there is a Pearl race there for her. This is just about getting a run under her belt really.”

Smith will also line-up Thistle in the Opie Bosson 65 Jmps (2200m) and Sacred Dior in the James McDonald 65 (1600m).

“Thistle will love the (heavy) ground,” Smith said. “She has just got to get moving a bit earlier, that is her problem, she just takes a bit of time to wind up.

“The 2200m will suit her. We have got Kavish (Chowdhoory, jockey) on, he asked to ride her so we will give him a go.”

“Sacred Dior has been working well. I am just hoping that we get a nice run into it from (barrier) nine.

“She has led up in her last two races, so we are just trying to teach her not to be so fierce and hopefully she will get up over a bit of ground eventually. Corey (Campbell, jockey) will tuck her in somewhere and she should hit the line strong.

“Her heavy form has been good. She got a fourth at Kumara, but she ran home the fastest in the race that day.”

The Smiths bred and race both Daphne Dior and Sacred Dior, with the Dior name paying homage to a former stable favourite.

“I used to do a lot of showjumping and I had a mare off the track called Dior Rose,” Smith said. “I got her in-foal but I lost her and the foal. She was my pride and joy, I had a lot of success with her. I have named them in her honour.”

Meanwhile, Smith is already looking forward to spring racing following the return of three-win gelding Sauvage to the stable this week.

“Sauvage has come back into work this week, we are quite excited about his future. He finished off the season really strong,” she said.

“We will look to kick him off somewhere in September and find something for him over Cup Week. There are those Southern Mile series races for him as well."