O'Naturelle Poised for Te Akau Hat-trick

Mac Henry writes for The Informant:

Excitement is expected in Saturday's New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes at Riccarton Park as Te Akau Racing seeks its third successive win in the event with a two horse team headed by O'Naturelle.

All 10 of the runners in the first leg of the four-race New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year series hold nominations for the Gr. 1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas, with three of them also in Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas.

A fortnight on from the highly competitive gavelhouse.com Three-Year Old 1000 at the Park, the principals in the finish have all returned to do battle over a further 200 metres and again, most of them are winning chances. The inclusion of two from Te Akau adds to the anticipation.

Te Akau's Darci's Dream and Windborne, winners of the Canterbury Belle in 2014 and 2015, had both raced and won at two. Windborne's Canterbury Belle came fresh-up and Darci's Dream after a win at Taupo.

O'Naturelle's co-trainer Jamie Richards said the filly didn't race at two because she need more time but has now strengthened and developed into an athletic filly. Her dam Naturo, won the Gr. 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes at two and the Gold Trail Stakes at three. O'Naturelle, by O'Reilly, is her fifth foal.

“Two trials wins and a race win, she goes pretty good,” Richards said. “The 1000 Guineas is the aim for her.”

Last year Risque came south and won a maiden race at Ashburton before progressing to her 1000 Guineas triumph. Richards is confident O'Naturelle has the necessary attributes, but admits it is a good quality field.

Richards and his training partner Stephen Autridge also have the maiden Play For Time in the Canterbury Belle Stakes. The Australian-bred daughter of former classy sprinter Foxwedge was sent south after two trial placings and shaped well for second on debut at Ashburton.

According to Richards, rain at Ashburton affected Play For Time but she has trained on well and will be competitive. “We like her,” he said.