Australian venture planned for well-performed stayer

Wildflower will attempt to add Australian black type to her record later this year.

Wildflower Picture: Trish Dunell

The talented daughter of Keeper won the Listed Jakkalberry Classic (1950m) in the spring and more recently has finished runner-up in both the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and the Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m).

At her latest appearance, the Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker-trained mare ran a close third in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m).

“The plan is to take her to Brisbane for the carnival and I’ll be sitting down with Graham to work out her programme,” said Garry Cossey, racing manager for Wildflower’s owner Sir Peter Vela. “There are numerous options for her.

“She’s been freshened at Pencarrow Stud since the Auckland Cup and she’s doing well. She’s done such a good job here and we’d like to add some black type in Brisbane.”

In the immediate future, Cossey’s focus is on Friday’s Avondale meeting where Danielle Johnson will don Sir Peter’s colours when she partners the genuine Silver Cloud in the Westbrook.co.nz 1200m.

“She’s going really well, but she is an awkward horse to ride,” he said.

“If she hits the front too soon she tends to switch off, hence she’s run a lot of seconds.”

Trained by Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie, Silver Cloud has three runner-up finishes from her last four appearances.

“She probably hasn’t had a lot of luck either, but she has been a model of consistency,” Cossey said.

Silver Cloud beat all but Bevan Street at Ellerslie earlier this month at her most recent outing.

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