Rotorua finale for smart mare

Group performer Flamingo is likely to have one more black type outing before the end of her campaign.

“We’ll probably take her up for the Rotorua Stakes, the weight-for-age race over 1400m, and we might just put her out after that and then bring her back for the spring,” said Emma Haworth, who trains the Pins mare with her father David.

Flamingo has won twice during her current campaign and ran third in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham. Last time out she finished fourth in the Listed Anzac 1550m at Awapuni.

“The ground was a bit holding for her there and she was three wide for the trip and out in the worst part of the track,” Haworth said.

“She fought hard and we were still pretty happy with her run.”

The stable also has four strong chances at Waipukurau on Thursday with Ophelia Lee tipped as an improver when she steps out in the Stevenson & Taylor (1600m).

She pleased her trainers with her effort for sixth last time out when resuming at Trentham.

“Her run was very good and 1400m was too short for her, I think she’ll be hard to beat tomorrow,” Haworth said.

Fearless has been runner-up in both of his starts and should go close to breaking through in the Mitre 10 Waipukurau 1400m.

“We think he’s a very good horse, but he’s still young and green,” Haworth said. “His work has been good since Woodville, I’ve been galloping him and he feels great.”

Diamond Dancer will run in the Vet Services (HB) 1600m while Run Lee will debut in the Peter & Ann Evans 3YO (1200m).

“Diamond Dancer has been wanting more ground and she needs to get out into the clear and get rolling,” Haworth said. “Run Lee is a half-sister to Ophelia Lee and we think a bit of her.”