In-foal mare due a winning turn

Chequers Stud is hoping their resident stallion can have a winning influence on the genuine mare Oui at Matamata on Wednesday.

She will make her first start in the farm’s colours in the Norwood Farm Machinery Centre 1400 and is due a winning trick after a frustrating run of placings.

“She was out on lease firstly to Terry Wenn and then Todd Mitchell and we extended the lease hoping she could have won one for them, but she ran four seconds in a row,” said Mark Fraser-Campin, who operates Chequers with his training partner and brother Chris Campin.

“She’s in foal to Battle Paint and she looks very well - a bit of give in the track will suit her as well.

“She only needs to find a length or so and hopefully Battle Paint can do that for her. Often when you get them in foal they do find some improvement.”

One of the Ishiguru mare’s three previous wins was posted at Matamata and, while she has an awkward gate, she will benefit from Rowena Smyth’s claim.

Oui will also be dropping back in class after most recently taking on better company and finishing in the money at Te Rapa (twice), Te Aroha and Ellerslie.

“She’s been running in $20,000 races and she can go on to a better race again after Matamata,” Fraser-Campin said.

Darrel Lang has been pleased with Zero Tua Hundred’s work ahead of his return while Dark And Stormy has also been prominent at the trials.