Anythingcouldhappn looking to book NZ Oaks start at Trentham
The daughter of Iffraaj faces the toughest test of her fledgling career in the Listed ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1600m).
Trained by Steven Woodsford, Anythingcouldhappn holds a nomination for the Group 1 Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and a couple more bold showings will book her ticket to Trentham.
“As long as she runs well on Saturday and then at Riccarton we’ll give it a go,” Woodsford said.
Anythingcouldhappn won over a mile at Wingatui last time out and has trained on well since.
“She’s got a good draw and she’s got a bit of gate speed so she’ll put herself up there on the pace,” Woodsford said.
“She’s a pretty good filly and she’ll have no trouble staying so the Oaks is the ultimate goal.”
Anythingcouldhappn is out of the Istidaad mare Dimondsontheinside, who won six races and finished fourth in the Group 2 New Zealand Cup (3200m), fifth in a Group 1 Wellington Cup (3200m) and sixth in a Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m).
The stable will also be represented in the Guineas by Thom Brown, the winner of one of his four appearances and a last-start sixth in the Lusted Dunedin Guineas (1500m).
“He’s still learning and he didn’t have a lot of luck at Wingatui,” Woodsford said. “The start before at Riccarton he should have finished closer as well so not much has gone his way lately.”