Change of plan for stakes-performed mare

A multitude of black type opportunities in Australia is likely to lure Rose Of Virginia back into action.

The Thorn Park mare, who finished runner-up in her last appearance in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup, is entered in next month’s Australian Broodmare Sale.

However, her connections have now had a rethink and Rose Of Virginia is poised to cross the Tasman as a racing proposition.

“She’s out spelling at the moment and we’re talking to a few trainers in Sydney given the plethora of Group Three and Listed cups around for good stake money,” said part-owner Dr Alan Jackson, who also chairs the board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.

“It’s not 100 percent yet, but 95 percent likely. She hasn’t won a black type race yet.”

Trained by Lance Noble, Rose Of Virginia won six races and has placed at Group One, Two, Three and Listed levels.

Jackson is also the breeder and part-owner of the well-performed Pins mare Decorah, who will be offered at the Sydney Broodmare Sale, but with one regret.

“When you looked at the Sydney Cup and there was $A37,500 for eighth with only 11 of them there it would have been nice to see Decorah in it, especially on a wet track,” he said.

“But she has been an excellent mare to us and had to carry big weights. She was out the back in the Auckland Cup – if she had run fifth or sixth we might have had a look at the Sydney Cup.”

Prepared by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Decorah won seven races including the Gr.3 City of Auckland Cup, in which she beat Rose Of Virginia, and the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes.

“We’ve got a half-sister to her by Iffraaj and a full-brother who is a weanling so there’s a bit of the family yet to come,” Jackson said.