Filly loving life on the road

Graham Richardson is happy to give Strada Cavallo another away trip in her lead-up to a second crack at a Group One feature.

The Matamata trainer has opted to run the consistent filly in Wednesday’s Gr.3 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes at Hastings ahead of the Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks at Trentham on March 19.

“The other option was the Sunline Vase at Ellerslie on Saturday, but she’s tough and she likes travelling,” Richardson said.

“She might be a bit better left-handed as well and she is very genuine. I’m happy with her.”

Runner-up in the Gr.1 NZ 1000 Guineas, Strada Cavallo then got home late to finish sixth in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic before she filled a similar placing in the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic when she took on an unfamiliar role in front.

The Alamosa three-year-old again found the line strongly to run third in the Gr.3 Wellfield Desert Gold Stakes and Richardson said she has trained on well since.

Stablemate Tessastock has also earned her place in the Lowland field and, while she has yet to break her maiden, she is no forlorn hope.

“She’s certainly not without a chance and she’s very tough as well,” Richardson said.

Tessastock produced a late finish for an eye-catching seventh in the Listed BMW 3YO Salver and she has subsequently finished runner-up over ground against the older horses at Matamata and Avondale.

“She’ll have the blinkers on for the first time and her work has been as good as Strada Cavallo,” Richardson said.