Apache Anne Oaks bound
Go Racing’s Apache Anne is Oaks bound following a big win in the last race of the day at Wanganui on Thursday, the Mad Butcher Wanganui Maiden (2040m).
Ridden positively from barrier four by jockey Leah Hemi, the Lisa Latta-trained three-year-old was positioned just outside the leader throughout and despite over racing going down the straight the first time, Leah managed to promptly settle her into a comfortable pace.
When asked to lengthen on the bend she never looked in trouble, confidently distancing her rivals to win by four-and-three-quarter-lengths on the line for the Go Racing Sizzling Syndicate.
“From her first start to today she’s matured so much and she’s really enjoying it,” Leah said.
“She loved the step up in distance and going forward I think that she’s going to be a really nice filly.”
Trainer Lisa Latta echoed Leah’s sentiments and confirmed that the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ Oaks (2400m) is on the agenda for the lightly raced filly.
“She will have no problem staying the Oaks trip and is improving all of the time, so is a genuine chance in the race,” said Go Racing’s Albert Bosma.
Having missed a start at New Plymouth due to the meeting being abandoned and the Gr.2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes, a natural lead in race on Wednesday, coming up to soon and too close to the Group One classic, the plan is to sneak into the race with one win at her next start.
“We’re just going to see how she comes through the weekend and see how her rating changes after the win, but the Oaks is the plan if we can get in,” Lisa said.
Bred by Lady Justine & Sir Patrick Hogan, J A & M Maronde, Apache Anne is out of the multiple Group race winning Stravinsky mare La Sizeranne. She was purchased by Go Racing out of Curraghmore’s 2020 New Zealand Bloostock Book 1 draft for $40,000.
Go Racing will have two runners in The Oaks at Trentham on Saturday March 19, with Wednesday’s Listed Grangewilliam Stud “Derryn” Oaks Prelude (1600m) winner Miss Ella also targeting the classic race.
Click here to watch a replay of Apache Anne’s win.
Photo: Race Images