Grand final day is approaching for Emma-lee Browne and Jeff McVean's summer team.
The stable will produce five runners at Ellerslie on Saturday, with three of them using the raceday to provide lead-ups to likely Group One targets next start.
Browne said she was approaching each race as a curtain-raiser to the main event but she would still love to take winning form into each Group One target.
"We're really happy with all of them. They are all going well and we hope that continues on Saturday.”Craig Grylls teams up with Blizzard and Stratocaster, who pleased his trainers with an encouraging third to Avondale Guineas rivals Volkstok'n'barrell and Rockfast in the Karaka 3yo Mile at Ellerslie last start.
The Mastercraftsman gelding had shown his prowess in the spring with a Hawke's Bay Guineas Prelude win over subsequent 2000 Guineas winner Turn Me Loose before top-five finishes in the Gr.2 Hawke's Bay Guineas, Gr.3 Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa and Gr.1 2000 Guineas at Riccarton."His work since Ellerslie has been really good. We're really excited about getting him over ground for the first time," Browne said.
"The draw [barrier one] isn't ideal for his get-back style of racing but I think we'll ride for luck along the fence. As long as he's running home like he was on Karaka Million night and hitting the line strongly, we'll be happy. The Derby is the one we want. He relaxes well and he gives us every indication he'll get 2400m."Blizzard was having his first run for more than two months since his fourth placing in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) when he finished second to Avondale Cup rival Candle In The Wind in the Karaka Stayers Cup at Ellerslie last start.
It was just the run Browne wanted to see as she prepares for a tilt at the Auckland Cup."Fresh-up over 2200m was never going to be easy but he did it really well. He's been working super since and we're really happy with him. He's tightened up a lot and he should go a good race," she said.
"On his work, he should be right up there but he is second-up after a break and this is his lead-up to the Auckland Cup. Hopefully he runs a nice race and that sets us up nicely for the cup."Rollout The Carpet was third at Ellerslie last month and tackles the likes of Sakhee's Soldier and Rising Romance at the same venue on Saturday as her trainers seek a bold showing to convince them she's worthy to tackle the big guns in Saturday week's Otaki weight-for-age Group One feature.
"Her work has been super and we are thinking about backing her up in the Group One at Otaki next week but she needs to show us she's worth taking down," Browne said.The stable's other runners at Ellerslie are Sonic Rocket and Dresden Park.
