Let-Up for Risque

Dennis Ryan of The Informant reports -

Saturday's New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas winner Risque was one of seven BMW New Zealand Derby entries made this morning by trainers of the moment Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, but the remainder of her three-year-old campaign is far from defined.

The Darci Brahma filly is on her way home to The Oaks Stud for a spell that may rule out any further racing this year as connections assess her and consider their options.

Both Autridge and Rick Williams, general manager of the Dick Karreman-owned Cambridge operation, believe that Risque has some way to go before being fully mature and her progress in that respect will largely determine plans.

“The last time she came back here for a break she really grew and it wouldn't surprise me if she did the same again,” said Williams. “There's still a lot of development left in her so we'll monitor her over the next two or three weeks and take it from there.

“She'll be entered for the Derby and the Oaks, but then there's the Oaks in Sydney to consider in the autumn too. It's worth $1 million and now that she's a Group One winner in New Zealand we have to think about the added worth of an Australian Group One.”

Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Xtravagant - already enjoying a break at Te Akau Stud - is also entered for the New Zealand Derby. According to Autridge, however, that is only a precautionary measure, with the Pentire colt's early 2016 plans centred on the Australian Guineas at Flemington.

One race that Autridge and Richards have their eyes firmly set on is their home track feature, the Gr. 2 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders' Stakes, with their unbeaten two-year-old Sassy 'N' Smart.

“She's like her name suggests and she looks a real Breeders' Stakes type,” Autridge said. “We've won that race a few times and I'd like to think she could be the next.”

The Smart Missile filly's Barneswood Farm Welcome Stakes success at Riccarton on Saturday was one of 17 by the Autridge-Richards team during a landmark South Island spring campaign.

“We ended up sending 11 horses down south and every one of them was a winner,” added Autridge. “All up from 36 starts we won 17 races, and to get both Group One Guineas as well as two other stakes races made it a very worthwhile exercise.”