Authentic Paddy scratched from Herbie Dyke Stakes
Trainer Lisa Latta confirmed on Thursday the eight-year-old won’t be taking his part in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m).
“He’s got a bruised heel and won’t be going to Te Rapa,” Latta said. “We’re getting on top of it and instead he can still go to the mile at Otaki then to Auckland on March 10.”
The Otaki mission is the Group 1 Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m) on February 24 then, all going well, he will head to Ellerslie for the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) next month.
Authentic Paddy ran third in last year’s Herbie Dyke Stakes and broke through for a well-deserved Group One win in the Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day.
He has been unplaced in two subsequent starts since his Group One triumph.
“He’s been caught wide in his last two and it was four weeks between the two races,” Latta said.
Despite Authentic Paddy’s withdrawal, Latta still has two strong chances at Te Rapa on Saturday with quality filly Dijon Bleu in the Group 2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (2000m) and Secret Allure in the juvenile event.
Secret Allure, a daughter of Zacinto who races in the same interests as Dijon Bleu, was placed in her two trials before finishing second to Pinot Grey on debut at Otaki last November.
“She was quite shin sore after her first run so we put her out,” Latta said. “She has had a jumpout and went well. She’s a promising filly.”