Trainers John and Karen Parsons both have contrasting feelings going into the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes at Wingatui on Saturday.
While delighted with the progress of the favourite Residential, who will be chasing a hat-trick of wins, the couple are frustrated with the on-going hoof problems experienced by the talented stablemate Starvoia.
“She’s still going good races, but if only we could get her 100 per cent.
“She galloped well enough the other morning so hopefully she’ll be right for Saturday.”Starvoia won her first two starts before finishing second in the Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes behind La Diosa, the subsequent Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner who opened her Sydney account with a strong win in last Saturday’s Gr.2 Surround Stakes.
Starvoia won again two starts later at Wingatui on Boxing Day and since then she has had to settle for placings in her three Guineas starts. She was third to Raise You Ten in the Listed Gore Guineas and has chased Residential home in both the Listed Dunedin Guineas and Listed Southland Guineas.The margin between Residential and Starvoia in the Dunedin Guineas was a mere nose, while Residential, a daughter of Pins, had a more comprehensive win in the Southland Guineas, scoring by four lengths.
On Saturday the pair will be dropping back from 1600 to 1400m, but that is unlikely to prevent what looks another stable quinella.Residential has gone from strength to strength this campaign and has now won four of her 10 starts. The score card between her and Starvoia is two apiece after she was beaten home by the Starcraft filly on Boxing Day (third) and 10th in the Gore Guineas.
“She hit a wet spot in the Gore Guineas and that put her under pressure,” Parsons said. “It’s a shame because she has won the other two Guineas.”A $100,000 bonus is offered for any horse that can win the Windsor Park Triple Crown, all three major three-year-old races in Southland.
Residential stands out as the horse to beat on Saturday and Parsons says she has done well since her Southland Guineas win.“She’s a big filly and nothing worries her,” she said.
