By Heather Anderson
The NZ$200,000 G1 Fiber Fresh NZB Thoroughbred Breeders' S. sees an even dozen fillies and mares step forward in the final top-flight contest of the New Zealand season at Te Aroha on Saturday. One of two Stephen Marsh trainees in the field–the other being G2 Rich Hill Mile heroine Ruud Not Too (NZ) (Bernardini)–Thee Auld Floozie (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is aiming to double her Group 1 tally in the 1600-metre contest.
Successful in the G1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile over the Trentham sod in January of 2017, the joint third choice at $7.50 has visited the winner's enclosure since, in the G2 Westbury Classic last March. The grey was off the board in five more runs after a runner-up finish in the 2017 edition of this race. Finding a bit of her old spark when bolting up in her second consecutive Westbury Classic, defeating MGSW Coldplay (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) into third, with Mar. 17 G3 Cuddle S. victress Montoya Star (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}) fourth on Jan. 27, Thee Auld Floozie endured a wide journey in the G2 Japan Trophy and trailed home 11th last out.
Favoured on Saturday is the upwardly mobile Darscape Princess (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) at $3.50 from the Fraser Auret barn. The 4-year-old saluted four times in a row from 1400-1600 metres, including the Feb. 6 Listed Wairarapa T'bred Breeders S. at Tauherenikau and in a Benchmark 85 handicap at Awapuni on Mar. 2. She was second in the G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand S. trying Group 1 company for the first time at Ellerslie.
Sir Peter Vela, whose Eminent (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) won twice at group level in Europe in 2017, sees his colours flown by listed scorer Cote D'Or (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) for trainers Ken and Bev Kelso. The rail runner ran second in a 1400-metre handicap at Arawa park on Mar. 17.
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