Exciting filly Molly Bloom is set to continue her journey toward New Zealand Cup week as she enters the highly competitive Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe this Saturday.
This talented daughter of Ace High made a significant mark on the racing scene with her stylish maiden victory at Taupo in September, setting her sights on the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).
However, in her last race at Hastings, she showed some inexperience, finishing just over a length behind the winner, Cannon Hill, after crossing onto heels late in the race.
Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott, Molly Bloom's trainers, have been working on her development, and they are optimistic about her performance in the upcoming Pukekohe feature.
They believe that Molly Bloom's long-striding style and preference for a roomy track will be advantageous.
Additionally, her ace barrier draw for the Soliloquy is seen as a benefit to counter her inexperience.
In a competitive field of 14 three-year-old fillies, Molly Bloom currently holds the favourite spot at +320, with tough competition from fillies like Luberon at +380 and Mary Shan at +500.
Despite her status as the favorite, Andrew Scott acknowledges the formidable competition that Molly Bloom will face, with most of the field having recorded victories and multiple stakes performances. Glamour Tycoon is the only maiden runner in the field, having achieved four runner-up placings, including a stakes placing.
A strong performance in Pukekohe could pave the way for Molly Bloom to head to Riccarton on November 18th for the 1000 Guineas, where she shares favoritism with Lance Noble's Luberon at +400. Scott emphasizes that her performance will be the key factor in determining whether she takes this next step.
Wexford Stables also has the promising five-year-old Ask Mum resuming, and Scott hopes she can continue her success from the previous season. Ask Mum, an Ocean Park mare, recorded three victories from six starts last season, all at the 1400m distance.
Scott acknowledges that Ask Mum might need the run to regain fitness and adapt to the right-handed course at Pukekohe, as she generally performs better when racing left-handed. However, her recent trial at Matamata was encouraging, and they anticipate a competitive performance.
With both Molly Bloom and Ask Mum in action, it promises to be an exciting day of racing at Pukekohe as these horses look to make their mark in the upcoming season.