Opulent Ready for Black Type Bid

The Informant reports:

Today's Gr. 3 Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders' Stakes at Riccarton has been Opulent's target throughout the spring, and connections are confident the talented mare can measure up in her first run at black-type level.

The four-year-old Keeper mare, trained by 2000 Guineas' winners Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, has risen through the grades with victories in all of her last three starts.

“After her two wins at Ruakaka in June and July, we turned her out and set her for this race,” Richards explained to www.theinformant.co.nz .

“This has been her aim.  She's very well going into this race, which will be a nice opportunity for her to pick up some black type. That's our aim with her this season - she's got a lovely pedigree and some black type will make her a valuable breeding proposition.”

Opulent is out of the Woodman mare Silk Slipper, who is a half-sister to stakes winners Umatilla and Hurricane Sky, and also to Shantha's Choice, dam of Redoute's Choice, Platinum Scissors and Manhattan Rain.

Te Akau principal David Ellis bought Opulent for $205,000 at the 2013 Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka and she is raced by a team of loyal Te Akau owners, together with Karyn Fenton-Ellis.

Opulent has a wide draw to overcome tomorrow, breaking from gate 16 in the 1400-metre event, but she will be ridden by Matt Cameron and is the equal fifth favourite for the race at $10 along with Waikaha and Better Keeper.

Last year's winner Slice Of Class is the $5 equal favourite with northern raider Illuminati, while Cassie Anne and Sucre share the second line of betting at $9.