Talented filly Intention made an impressive winning return to the Foxton trials on Tuesday, ticking the first box in a journey towards top three-year-old honours.
In a five-start juvenile campaign, Intention upset the market when claiming the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), and despite attempting to buck for several strides when leaving the barriers, was just a long neck from taking out the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m).
Her barrier woes continued when missing away in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), and while she was slow out again in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), she picked up to finish a creditable fifth.
The daughter of Bivouac subsequently went out for a spell, and when she returned to Mike Breslin’s Awapuni barn, amending her racing manners came to the forefront. With that in mind, he engaged the services of experienced senior hoop Jonathan Riddell in the 850m heat, where she jumped well, travelled on the bridle throughout and was never headed, cruising to the line under her own steam.
Breslin was delighted to get the result he was after, particularly in the gates.
“She did exactly what I took her there for, I ran her against the two-year-olds so that she could have a quiet trial, she’d only had about three reasonable gallops coming into it,” he said. “It was just a quiet day out and I was happy with how she went, so that’s the first step done.
“We’re wanting to iron out her barrier manners a little bit, which is why I specifically got Jonathan Riddell to ride her today, even though unfortunately, as she’s a filly, he probably won’t be able to make the weight for her on race day.
“I wanted some feedback from him in that respect, and he gave me some very useful information about her in the barriers. Hopefully we can utilise that going forward, she’s just a little bit nervous in the gates and has been costing herself, she cost herself dearly at Matamata and a couple of other times.
“That probably stopped her from being right up with the best two-year-olds.”
Already a $128,000 earner, Intention proved herself in strong company as a juvenile, and Breslin hopes to do the same at three, with the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) being the ultimate goal this spring.
“I’ve pencilled in a programme with her first main aim being the 1000 Guineas in Christchurch,” he said. “I’ve got a map in getting her there, so if everything goes smoothly, hopefully we can make it happen.
“She has to match up against the best three-year-olds and you don’t know until you get on a race track whether they will do that, but I think she’s got enough ability, it’s just ironing out the barrier manners.
“That will make everyone’s job, including hers, a lot easier.”
Before she heads to the races, Breslin intends to take the filly back to Foxton to contest an open trial on the 15th of August.
“She’ll have another trial in two weeks’ time, and I may put her in an open heat there,” he said. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
