The accomplished mare Aquacade is gearing up for an exciting spring campaign, starting with the competitive Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) on Saturday.
The daughter of Dundeel had a remarkable four-year-old season, securing victories in the Group 2 Avondale Cup (2400m) and the Dunstan Stayer's Championship Final (2400m).
Trainer Lance Noble expressed his satisfaction with her condition, mentioning, “She's had two nice trials that we were happy with.”
However, the race has attracted a high-quality field due to recent wet weather affecting North Island tracks. Aquacade faces strong competitors, including Group One-winning mares Legarto and La Crique, as well as top geldings White Noise and last year's victor Paisley Park.
Noble acknowledged the challenge, saying, “I think she'll run a nice race, but we're up against it with them at this point in her campaign.”
Aquacade is the third favourite at +800 for the Matamata Cup, with Legarto at -142.86 and La Crique at +600 leading the odds.
Noble will also have Luberon in action, who shares the second favourite position at +700 for next month's Group 1 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.
Luberon impressed with a strong win at Te Rapa in her three-year-old campaign opener and is set to face her own age group. Noble believes she is up to the challenge.
Following a good performance on Saturday, Luberon is poised to compete in the Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) on October 28, a significant lead-up event for Northern-based fillies before heading to Riccarton Park for the Guineas on the final day of New Zealand Cup Week.
Noble's third runner at the Matamata meeting will be Iffin Doubt Dance, a consistent daughter of Iffraaj. Although 1400m may be shorter than her ideal distance, Noble expects her to put in a strong effort, especially considering her promising trials.
Noble's Karaka stable already celebrated a remarkable victory with lightly-raced four-year-old Dazzled, who stormed home from near last at Tauranga on Wednesday.