Avondale Guineas the Decider

The Informant reports:

The Avondale Guineas at Ellerslie on Saturday week will be the defining race for Shocking Luck as connections contemplate a late entry into the $1 million Vodafone New Zealand Derby.

Shocking Luck stepped up from a 2000-metre maiden win and Rating 65 second to be beaten a half-length by Wyndspelle in Saturday's Darci Brahma Waikato Guineas. The son of Shocking will now head to the 2100-metre Retina Specialists Avondale Guineas as the final decider on paying the $30,003 late fee for a Derby start.

“We've got a little bit of time up our sleeves before making up our minds, so we'll head towards the Avondale Guineas and make the call before the late entries close on the Tuesday,” said co-trainer Jamie Richards. “He's handling everything and is obviously a dead-set stayer, so he's got a fair bit going for him.

“On Saturday he had to do a bit of work to get handy from his wide draw. He never flinched when the pressure was on and as they were pulling up he was back in front over the crossing.”

Richards said that a decision on Hall Of Fame, who followed his Levin Classic win with a disappointing fifth in the Waikato Guineas, will be made this week.

“It's hard to get a true line on Saturday's run as he was forced over ground and things didn't go to plan, but we'll be having a team talk sometime in the next few days,” he said. “It could be that we'll freshen him and drop him back in distance.”

Richards reports that next weekend's two Group One prospects, Abidewithme and Heroic Valour, are both in good order heading into the big day at Te Rapa.

The $400,000 Herbie Dyke Stakes will be Abidewithme's swansong as she is close to the 120-day deadline carrying a pregnancy to Tavistock. She heads into Saturday's weight-for-age feature off a pleasing third in the Thorndon Mile.

Heroic Valour's most recent appearance brought a nose second to unbeaten filly Volpe Veloce in the Karaka 3YO Mile at Ellerslie. Both horses will be ridden by Michael McNab.