Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are looking forward to the first leg of the Hawke's Bay Spring Carnival at Hastings, and unlike last year, they are not worried about the weather.
La Crique, their talented mare, faced a challenging spring preparation due to inclement weather last year but still managed to perform admirably, finishing third in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) and winning the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at a transferred Matamata meeting.
This year, the Alexanders are relieved by the good weather forecast leading up to the Westbury Stud-sponsored Tarzino Trophy.
They believe that the milder winter has been beneficial for La Crique's preparation, and Katrina Alexander expressed her confidence in the mare's faultless build-up this time around.
She mentioned, “We have a bit more confidence in the fact that her preparation up until now has been pretty faultless as opposed to last year when we were battling with galloping surfaces and even just training surfaces.
“It was just so wet everywhere. We have been able to do the work we have wanted to do on the right footing all the way through.”
La Crique's recent trial at Taupo added to their optimism, as she finished runner-up in her 1100m heat, confirming that she was on the right track for the upcoming race.
According to Alexander, “We achieved what we wanted to achieve, and we were very happy with the stage of her preparation we were at. She has trained on beautifully since her trial. She seems to be a happy horse.”
Jockey Craig Grylls also had a positive assessment of La Crique after a recent gallop, saying she's moving better than in her previous preparation.
Despite their confidence, Katrina Alexander acknowledges the strong competition in the Tarzino Trophy, with multiple Group One winners in the field. She emphasized that their plans after the race are open-ended, depending on La Crique's performance.
“We don't have any immediate plans to go over to Australia.
“We have kept it very open-ended after the Tarzino as to what happens next. We will just have to see where she sits after Saturday and make a plan after that,” she stated.
Regarding their recent move to Te Awamutu, Alexander mentioned that it has provided a quieter and more economical environment for their stable.
The horses have settled in well, and she is pleased with their progress, with several horses already performing well in trials at the new location.