High-quality performer Lollapalooza has proved herself at the highest level and connections are hopeful she will get opportunities in the spring to advance her record.
The daughter of El Roca performed admirably in the best age group company last season and is making good progress toward opening her four-year-old campaign.
Lollapalooza hasn’t raced since she finished a luckless fifth in the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) and thrived during her time out.
“She put on 30kg and I’m really happy with her,” said Graham Richardson, who prepares the mare with Rogan Norvall.
“She will trial at Te Rapa on Saturday and at Te Awamutu (August 25) and we’re hoping she’ll make the field for the Proisir Plate (Gr.1, 1400m), she really does like Ellerslie.
“If she doesn’t make the field, it will be disappointing. It’s not easy because she’s on an unusual rating (78) for a horse that’s won one race, she’s been very genuine.”
The following legs of the Triple Crown series, the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) and the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), are also in the mix.
Last season, Lollapalooza won the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) and finished second in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) as well as runner-up finishes in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m).
Stablemate Lotus will be the Matamata operation’s only runner this weekend when she steps out in the Milan Park Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.
“It was too heavy for her last time so we’re hoping for a better track,” Richardson said.
The Time Test mare significantly boosted her future value with a third placing in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) on the course in autumn.
The stable accent is very much on youth for the new term with an abundance of two and three-year-olds in the wings.
“We trialled three really nice fillies at Te Rapa (on Tuesday), Hawea went very, very well and we’ve had a few issues with her at the gates, but she was perfect,” Richardson said.
The Hellbent filly was turned out following her third placing in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
“She’ll head to Taupo on Sunday week and so will State The Obvious, she’s very under-rated in my mind and she was extremely good in her trial with nowhere to go and another filly called Hotere also went very well,” Richardson said.
Hotere is an unraced daughter of King Of Comedy while Sword Of State filly State The Obvious, who carries breeder Cambridge Stud’s colours, was a winner last term and finished in behind the major players in three subsequent Group outings.
The stud also owns Joyeuse, who has yet to step out but has placed in both of her trials.
“She’s by Sword Of State out of a Tavistock mare and she’s a beautiful horse, we’ve got a lot of young horses coming up so it’s very exciting,” Richardson said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
