Aide Memoire ready to fire first-up in group one
MARTON trainer Fraser Auret is relaxed about Aide Memoire chances of achieving the uncommon feat of back-to-back group one victories eight months apart.
Auret has the lightly-raced five-year-old back in work after a lengthy spell following her breakthrough success at the top level in the Captain Cook Stakes last December.
The trainer said the spell was necessary after not pulling up in peak condition
“She did jar up after the race, not too bad but just a bit scratchy,” he said.
“We decided to tip her out and give her a really good break.
“She did about six weeks on the water walker and she’s been back in the stable for a while now. She’s doing well, I’m quite thrilled with her.”
Auret said Aide Memoire would be entered for the group one events during the Hawke’s Bay carnival, although the trainer could not guarantee the horse would take the track in any of those races.
“She’s a very valuable mare and she is weather dependant. Often it can be wet for the first leg (the Tarzino Trophy) so we will definitely be looking at that.
“With jump-outs and trials and our own set-up here she wouldn’t have to race before then. We can go straight there – we won the Group One mile at Hastings with Julinsky Prince doing that.”
Auret said ideally the track would have some give in it for his horse to be at the optimal level.
“Aide Memoire just needs a bit of moisture around. She’s a tough horse and we can get her ready to rock and roll at home.
“A race like the Foxbridge Plate can take something out of them so we probably wouldn’t waste a run.
“We’ll get her to the group one in the best possible order.”