Filly making up for lost time
Perroquet had an inglorious start to her career, but she’s quickly made up for a debut to forget.
The well-bred daughter of Ocean Park and the Group One winner Pernod was pulled up in her first appearance and then finished fourth before an impressive last-start win.
“She just never hit out that day at Matamata, it was a strange one, but then she was very good at Avondale and that gave us confidence that she would run well at Hastings,” said Andrew Scott, who trains with Lance O’Sullivan.
Perroquet will attempt to add to her winning record when she steps out in the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series Race (1600m) at Te Aroha on Friday.
“She was still quite green at Hastings, but she looked good doing it and ran through the line really well,” Scott said.
“She’s gone the right way since and while it’s a step up for her, we’re expecting her to put in another strong performance,” Scott said. “The promising horse of Ken and Bev Kelso (Supera) looks the one to beat.”
The stable will also be represented by King Of The Dance in the Te Aroha Liquor Maiden (2200m) and Fortune Patch in the Jan Revell Memorial (1200m).
“King Of The Dance was pretty unlucky last time and he’s due to win a race,” Scott said.
King Of The Dance was a strong-finishing third two runs back before he was badly held up in the straight at Avondale where he ran sixth.
“Fortune Patch looks pretty well-placed with the four kilo claim and he’s going well,” Scott said.
The gelding will be ridden by stable apprentice Taiki Yanagida, who has guided the six-year-old to a close second when resuming at Te Rapa followed by a sound sixth at Avondale.