Per Incanto upped the ante in his bid for 1000 Guineas success with three daughters each producing career best performances in the space of 24 hours, highlighted by the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes win by Miss Aotearoa (Per Incanto-Danex by Danasinga).
Miss Aotearoa tightened into $5.50 favouritism for the 14 November Classic, unleashing a powerful finishing burst despite sitting three-wide for the 1200m contest. Beautifully turned out by trainers Te Akau, Miss Aotearoa gave her owner and breeder, Milan Park principal Tony Rider, a memorable black-type double after debutant Shezzacatch, who he also bred and part owns, caused a tote boil over to win the Listed 1200m El Roca-Colin Meads Trophy earlier on the Hastings card.
Catching the eye with a fast finishing third to Shezzacatch was the Katrina and Simon Alexander trained Per Incanto filly Alchemia (Per Incanto-Amonmarie by O’Reilly), who was making only her second raceday appearance after placing at Taupo last month. Alchemia now sits on the sixth line of betting at $14 for the second classic of the new season.
On Friday at Ashburton, the Teri Rae trained Stella Creek (Per Incanto-Cherry Creek by Monashee Mountain) appreciated the better track conditions as she quickened nicely to break her maiden over 1200m.
