Kelly Van Dyk is disappointed her filly Places To Be missed out on a start in Saturday’s Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa, and she will now head to her Plan B at Ellerslie on Monday where she is excited about her prospects in the ANZAC Day 3YO (1200m).
The homebred daughter of Hello Youmzain has shown plenty of ability in her six starts this season, winning on debut at Taupo in September before adding two placings to her record, and put in a strong performance when finishing fourth in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie on Karaka Millions night.
The Almanzor Trophy has proven to be a strong form race, with victor Belle Cheval subsequently winning the Gr.3 Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) and finishing runner-up to Well Written in the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) before crossing the Tasman to win the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), while third placegetter Drops Of God was dominant when taking out the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes at Te Rapa on Saturday.
“Following her run in the Almanzor Trophy she had a couple of weeks in the paddock,” Van Dyk said. “We had targeted the Cambridge Breeders’ with her but unfortunately she missed getting into that field, which was unbelievably strong, so it is cool that we are able to race at Ellerslie tomorrow.
“I am really looking forward to her getting back to the races and I am really happy with her going into it. She trialled well and she has had some really good form around her, so I am expecting her to go a good race tomorrow.
“At least we are going to get a good surface and it has come up a pretty strong race, so it will be good to get a good line on her again, just to see where she is at for next season.”
Van Dyk bred Places To Be under her Prima Park banner, alongside Ben Kwok, and she races the filly in partnership with Kwok and bloodstock agent Bevan Smith.
“She is a real product of our system at Prima Park where we have bred her, broken her in and now to train her is really cool,” Van Dyk said.
“She is definitely talented on her day, she is not easy, but she has matured and I think she is going to be even better next season.
“We will just see how she goes tomorrow, but there is not a lot left for her this season, so we may put her back in the paddock and get her ready for the spring.”
Van Dyk will also line-up Hit 'n' Run in the TAB 2100, and she said manners will be key for the daughter of Belardo.
“We have a lot of trouble with her in the barriers and recently not wanting to jump out that well,” Van Dyk said.
“We have got a good senior rider on tomorrow in George Rooke and the key for her will be to get out of the gates and hopefully she should be hitting the line strongly.
“The step up to 2100m looks ideal. She finished off very strongly over a mile last start at Ellerslie behind Solid Gold (subsequent Group Three winner), so that is obviously good form as well. We are just needing everything to go right for her tomorrow.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
