Quality mare Caitlyns Wish has fashioned an enviable record through the past two winters for Stephen Autridge, and she will chase a winning hattrick at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The daughter of in-form sire Belardo has recorded six wins and five minor placings over 15 starts, consistently performing in the favoured heavy conditions that she struck at Wanganui and Te Rapa at her two latest appearances.
“She was really courageous last-start and things did go our way including the weight she carried (51kg),” Autridge said.
“She’s come through it well, on a sticky heavy track we aren’t sure, but she loves Te Rapa anyway.”
Caitlyns Wish has been ridden in all but three of her races by Autridge’s apprentice Maria Sanson, but with the three-kilogram claimer out with a suspension, the mare will be partnered by Bailey Rogerson in the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m).
“We’ve had to have a change of rider but that shouldn’t matter, having the apprentice claim certainly helps and she’s quite easy to ride,” Autridge said.
“She’s always had a female rider and she always goes well for them, so we aren’t going to change that in a hurry.”
Enjoying rain-affected tracks allows for plenty of options for the four-year-old, and Autridge is happy to let her guide their path forward this campaign.
“She’s good to have around, she’ll eat anything you give her and loves her work,” he said.
“Wherever she goes, she’ll go at a hundred miles an hour, just like in a race. She jig-jogs going out to the track, she’ll try to trot into the swimming pool, she jumps onto the truck and is just loving everything she does.
“She loves the wet tracks, so while they are around and she’s going well, we’ll carry on. Last year we turned her out a bit before the winter was over, but when she has too long of a spell she gets too fat on us.”
Autridge will also be represented at Hastings on Saturday by Loch Katrine, the Ardrossan filly contesting the Book Your Function @ Hawke’s Bay Racing Handicap (1650m).
Loch Katrine has also shown plenty of consistency throughout her preparation and will reunite with local hoop Kate Hercock in the Rating 65 contest.
“She’s as good as she’s ever been, but she’s drawn 10 of 10 which is the worst place to be at the mile start at Hastings,” Autridge said.
“There’s always something that seems to be against her, if she’d drawn nicely I would’ve said I believe she’d be winning, but from there we’ll need some luck. She will run a good race.”