New Zealand Cup week at Riccarton Park in November could prove to be an exciting one for The Oaks Stud.
Farm principal Dick Karreman's blue and white silks were already favoured to feature prominently in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), but now they may also be a major contender in the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) seven days later.
Homebred filly Raziah has put her hand up for the three-year-old feature following her win in Saturday's Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton Park, shortening her price in the 1000 Guineas TAB futures market to $10.
The Oaks Stud General Manager Rick Williams was rapt with the result and he is excited for what the spring has instore for the Tony Pike-trained filly.
"She was very tough," he said. "We thought she might have been a bit underdone for that, but she is certainly going to enjoy getting out in trip a bit.
"It is hard to line up the form when you go down there, but the three-year-old fillies I have seen so far are very fast and I am not sure too many of them are really going to like 1600m at Riccarton.
"We are in the mix (for the 1000 Guineas), but there is a long way to go. She is very consistent and if she can keep improving, she will be thereabouts."
Raziah is by The Oaks Stud's former stallion Niagara, who now stands at Vicki Wilson's Hawke's Bay property, and is out of Justa Secret, who is also the dam of last season's Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) winner Drakaina.
"Niagara has been very underrated," Williams said. "He has done a good job but with stallions they are either in or they are out, there isn't much middle ground."
Raziah's family has had a number of strong results on the track of late, with Antrim Coast, who is out of a full-sister to Justa Secret, winning last season's Gr.2 Alister Clarke Stakes (2040m) after finishing runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).
The former Stephen Marsh-trained gelding is now in the care of Flemington trainer Steve Richards, and is set to make his return in the coming weeks.
"Antrim Coast isn't far from kicking off his campaign in Australia, he will start in the Seymour Cup (Listed, 1600m) in about three weeks," Williams said.
"We will aim low and see where he takes us. He is going to a Listed and a Group Three, and there is a good race for him on Melbourne Cup Day.
"He is pretty highly rated, and we are able to place him a bit better in Australia where there are a lot more options, that is the only reason for leaving him there."
Meanwhile, Williams has received positive reports from trainer Pam Gerard since Savaglee's runner-up effort in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings earlier this month, and they are looking forward to returning to the Hawke' Bay venue on Saturday-week to contest the Gr.2 AHD Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m).
"He has come back a lot longer and stronger. He has grown up a lot from two to three, which most Savabeels do," Williams said.
"He has taken the right steps physically and mentally. It is a long way to go (to the 2000 Guineas), but we are hopeful with him."
